> news:477e25d1$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

> > Well great to see the cut and past job from Connex that didn't address any
> > of the concerns I raised with them over the bike ban on trains in peak
> > hour.

> > Lets me just say that if its dark in the arvo,  the rain hits hard,  the
> > roads are REAL nasty I'm telling the wife to get the train still home with
> > her bike instead of riding home that night.  We will cop any fine they
> > want
> > to throw at us or action taking as its still better than the worst case
> > scenario of her on the roads in those conditions.   And I trust her skills
> > on the road,  its just all the other nuts I don't trust and see daily.

> > I take it when the new trains are here we are allowed back on?

> > Here is the response about the bike scapegoat issue we are facing.

> > "Thank you for your feedback to Metlink regarding bikes on trains.

> > During the last two years, patronage has increased by 23% on Connex train
> > services. Patronage is expected to continue to increase and a number of
> > steps are being taken to increase the capacity of the train network to
> > enable more passengers to be carried.

> > The Victorian government has recently announced an order for 18 new
> > suburban trains and 22 new V/Locity carriages. However, growing patronage
> > has meant that a number of difficult operational decisions were required
> > to
> > maximise the number of passengers that can be carried on peak hour
> > services. It is expected that the removal of bikes from the most congested
> > parts of the network during peak hours will enable more passengers to be
> > carried, providing significant environmental and community benefits.

> > The restrictions for bikes are highly targeted and only apply to bikes
> > travelling in the peak direction during peak times. For Connex trains, the
> > ban only applies to services within Zone 1. Customers will continue to be
> > able to travel at off-peak times and in the counter peak direction without
> > restrictions. Similar rules exist in other Australian suburban train
> > networks, including Brisbane and Perth.

> > The Victorian Government and the public transport industry strongly
> > support
> > the use of public transport in conjunction with cycling and regret the
> > need
> > to restrict bikes from peak hour trains. Public transport users are
> > encouraged to continue to use bikes in conjunction with public transport
> > by
> > leaving their bikes at the station at peak times and taking their bikes on
> > trains during off-peak times. (who wants to leave a good bike at a station
> > all day,  day in day out at the same time each day in most areas?)

> > Lockers are provided at many Connex and V/Line stations.(Rubbish) Rental
> > fees for
> > lockers have been eliminated, with only a refundable deposit now required.
> > Fees for the carriage of bikes on public transport have been eliminated.
> > CCTV coverage at stations reduces the chances of theft. Six carriage
> > trains
> > are now operated on the majority of off-peak services, providing more room
> > for bikes during the day, at night and on weekends.

> > The Victorian Government recognises that there is more work to do in
> > relation to bicycle storage at stations. The Department of Infrastructure
> > is working with Connex and Bicycle Victoria to implement a bike cage
> > storage facility at a suburban station as a trial. If successful(100 bikes
> > NOT stolen) , more bike
> > cages are likely to be implemented.

> > Thank you for raising this matter with the Public Transport Division.

> > Yours sincerely

> > Adrian Webb
> > Victorian Fare Policy Manager

> What about folding bikes that pack into the size of a suit case are these
> banned as well ?

> If not riders that are affected by this might want to think about the
> folding options.