Petition Gautrain for Bike Carry-on Facilities

[Keyser Soze]

So I've seen some posts about commuting and the Gautrain, and todays release of the Pretoria rates got me thinking. Ride to Sandton station (15 km), carry on bike, ride from Pretoria station (10 km). Why doesn't Gautrain provide facilities for cyclists to carry on their bikes? Apparently this will become policy in the EU.

 

I think as the cycling community we should petition (email) Gautrain to provide such services. If I'm optimistic, if a large number of requests are received maybe something will come of it.

 

Here's the link to send a suggestion to Gautrain.

 

Bike Rack Eg. 1 http://www.railusers.ie/images/bikes/2700-bike-rack.jpg

 

 

Bike Rack Eg. 2http://www.railusers.ie/images/bikes/ICR-bike-rack.jpg

E.g from Irish Rail.

 

Its not only a good idea from a health perspective but from a traffic congestion one. More people using bicycles for the general commute will force our local governemnt to provide such facilites. Maybe the Gautrain can be a catalyst for this as it is meant to be for public transport. A daily dose of optimism is recommended.

[Klaus]

Done

[mooky]

 

Where is the LIKE button?

[Klaus]

Got a reply. They are happy for you to take the bike on the train provided its in a bag or you can leave in in the parking area in the stands provided.

 

Dont think they got the point. mmmm.....

[I FLY]

This is the answer I received back from Gautrain customer services when I enquired to the possibility of having lockers at the station. The reason behind my enquiry is that I commute from Sandton to Rhodesfield with my bike in a bag. At the moment the carriages are almost empty so standing my bike in the doorway is not a problem. However the Pretoria link opens in a few months and there may be more passangers , some with bikes, and each doorway can only accomodate two bikes. My worry is that Gautrain will simply ban bikes from the commuter carriages.

 

It appears that bike/train commuting is something that the gautrain planners have not planned for and continue to ignore. The bike racks they have provided at the stations are a joke.

 

The emails that a few of us send will make no difference. I believe that our cycling bodies need to take up the fight or else we collective approach Gautrain.

 

Apart from the discomfort of rainy commutes, my days are much better since I started bike commuting and I would hate to lose this feeling ( and gain the 5kgs)

 

 

 

From: feedback <feedback@bombelaop.co.za>

To:

Sent: Mon, 28 March, 2011 8:39:44

Subject: Passenger Information

 

 

Dear Mr. Brown

 

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to put your experience in writing. We do appreciate hearing from our customers, as their comments are vital for us to continue improving our service.

 

We recognize that travelers want dependable and convenient service. Please note that we do not have lockers at any of the stations. The only available place that you could leave your bicycle is at the provided areas at the stations.

 

We continue to be committed to providing you and all of our customers with the highest standards of service in the industry, and look forward to serving you in the near future.

 

Sincerely

 

Bombela Operating Company