Taking Your Bike on the Train - Comparing VIA Rail, GO Transit and Comboios de Portugal

3 posts / 0 new

Sat, 2018-10-06 14:10

plangan107

VIA Rail charges $25.00 each way to put your bike on their train!

On my recent trip to high ride trains in Portugal and Spain, I was on a local train in the town of Olhao to connect with the hide speed train in Faro. The fare was only $2.00 and putting your bike on the train was free. I noticed people loading their bikes on the train and wondered what the policies were for putting your bikes on the train in Canada.

Comboios de Portugal

There is a variety of options depending on the type of the train you are taking in Portugal. The one constant fact on all trains is bringing your bike on the train is free.

I Inquired about taking my bike leaving from Guelph Ontario.

VIA Rail

VIA Rail has no trains that have baggage cars so you can't take your bike on train. If they did have baggage car, VIA Rail charged the ridiculous price of $25.00 each way plus taxes to put your bike on.

GO Transit

GO RAIL does allow bikes on its trains at no charge. The only restrictions are during rush hour when bikes are not allowed. They are allowed at all times on weekends. Good news except if you live in Guelph when the trains are mainly available during rush hour and there is no weekend service.

https://www.highspeedrailcanada.com/2018/10/taking-your-bike-on-train-comparing-via.html

One more example of VIA discouraging ridership by outdated ridiculous pricing policies.

Sat, 2018-10-06 15:50

lagatta4

Yes, it is ludicrous and anti-environmental; bicycles and trains make a lovely couple. In the Netherlands, it does cost a bit more than that to put a standard bicycle on a train, simply because there are so many that they would take over the space. However, folders are free. As a result, it is very common for Dutch people to have three cycles: a study old bike for urban commutes and errands, a light, fast one for touring and a folding bike when combining cycling and railway travel. This is VERY common in the Netherlands, as many people live in one city or town in the Randstad and work in another.

Sun, 2018-10-07 13:39

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
In the Netherlands, it does cost a bit more than that to put a standard bicycle on a train, simply because there are so many that they would take over the space.

But the nice thing about trains is that there's demand for more space, you can add more cars.

Here in Toronto there are TTC buses with special bike racks on the front, but by the look of them, they'd hold two or three bikes at most.