C2C Rail Bike Policy (Folders)

[ChrisKH]

On my journey in this morning I got pulled to one side by a member of staff at Fenchurch Street who asked me "Is this a folding bike? " (It is) "And was it folded when you got on the train?" (It was) he then went on to explain that from Monday 2nd November they are clamping down on bike travel during peak times and that non-folders will not be allowed to travel. This has always been the policy, however if you chose to get on at certain stations into London you could get away with using a full sized bike.

It remains to be seen whether they will enforce from London to Shoeburyness in the morning, which up until now they have allowed any bike, as it isn't as busy as the London bound line until the afternoon.

 

[mr_cellophane]

No mention in there T&C making a distinction between folders and non-folders. I always though rail firms would only take folders in peak hour trains if they were bagged. Not that any one enforces that, I have seen people on Upminster station at 8:00 with full size bikes waiting for a London bound train. I never get on the disabled/bike carriage as there are fewer seats.

Can I take my bicycle on the train?
As long as you do not arrive in London between 07.15 and 09.45 and avoid travelling away from London between 16.30 and 18.40 (there are some exceptions where you can take your bike on the train) on weekdays, you can take your bike with you when you travel on c2c. Unfortunately, bicycles cannot be carried on replacement bus services during engineering works.

But then reading these T&C you can take a bike on any train so long as you don't go all the way into London !

 

[ChrisKH]

Maybe that still applies Mr c.

I think he was disappointed my full sized folder, was a folder (they usually are - "You can't put that on the train - oh it folds, alright I'll let you off....") but he went through the rigmorole of telling me I couldn't travel with a non-folder at peak times anyway.

 

[marinyork]

Probably some crackdown. I look forward to the misapplication of common sense when I come on FNRttc on one.

 

[HobbesChoice]

ChrisKH - was that the height challenged fella at Fenchurch Street who asked you? That particular fella asks me every wednesday when I travel home on the train with my foldup, like he has this goal sheet to complete (or is just a jobs worth type).

I'm not sure how they'll enforce non-folders getting off the train at Fenchurch Street unless they hand out on the spot fines. They don't have anyone on the train checking, so what can they do when you get to Fenchurch Street? I assume they can't stop you getting through the barrier?

 

[Shrimp_Stu]

I've seen plenty of full sized bikes on London commuter trained backs into Fenchurch Street; I've always wondered how they can get "away" with it...

 

[ChrisKH]

ChrisKH - was that the height challenged fella at Fenchurch Street who asked you? That particular fella asks me every wednesday when I travel home on the train with my foldup, like he has this goal sheet to complete (or is just a jobs worth type).

I'm not sure how they'll enforce non-folders getting off the train at Fenchurch Street unless they hand out on the spot fines. They don't have anyone on the train checking, so what can they do when you get to Fenchurch Street? I assume they can't stop you getting through the barrier?

No, he's alright on the whole that short chap. As you say, how they're going to enforce it without making sure no one gets on at departing stations with a full-size is beyond me.

 

[garrilla]

Q. When is folded-bike not a bike?

A. When it is luggage.

 

[David haynes]

Went to enter the station @ Southend East this morning and was stopped and refused entry by a guy who normally sells me my ticket with my bike . Apparently you are not allowed on trains between 6.10 and 8.47 with full size bikes . He then went on to suggest I leave my bike there even though I explained I had no lock with me . I returned for the 8.47 and he took great pleasure in telling me I had to catch the 9.12 not the 8.47 . Which all in all made me realise what sort of individual I was dealing with .

 

[spen666]

Q. When is folded-bike not a bike?

A. When it is luggage.

There are actually rules on the size of and quantity of luggage you can take on a train.

They are rarely enforced however