Irish Rail & Bikes

godtabh · 06-01-2015 5:03pm #1

Cant seem to find info on their website. What's the story with bikes on trains? Been invited to a local spin in Athlone. 45km/h head wind means I'm not cycling down the day before

godtabh · 06-01-2015 5:12pm

found and booked a seat. what is it like for security

godtabh · 06-01-2015 5:32pm

From the irish rail seat selector it appears I am booked beside a seat. I'll just stand by it. Its only an hour

smacl · 06-01-2015 5:38pm

godtabh wrote: »

found and booked a seat. what is it like for security

Have you booked a space for the bike? If so, I've always ended up sitting beside it if its in a rack (and there is a carriage with racks, which isn't always the case even if you book the bike space). I never seem to be able to book a bike space going to Wexford, even though it is advertised as taking bikes, and have tended to go to Waterford and cycle up as a result, no idea what Athlone is like. The carriage with the racks on the website has yet to correspond to the one on the train, and on one occasion I've had to stash the bike in the disabled area where there were no racks.

While its all a bit haphazard, I've usually found the staff helpful, and always managed to get the bike on board where I've the ticket booked in advance.

cdaly_ · 06-01-2015 5:59pm

Any time I've taken a bike on the train, I've locked it to the rack/railing. Works for Dart, commuter and the separate bike storage areas on UK trains.

godtabh · 06-01-2015 5:59pm

This is the booking reference

Carriage E Seat 05-bk

I assume that bk is bike

smacl · 06-01-2015 6:13pm

godtabh wrote: »

This is the booking reference

Carriage E Seat 05-bk

I assume that bk is bike

Yep, that means bike and most likely seat beside the bike rack.

blobbie · 06-01-2015 8:39pm

smacl wrote: »

Yep, that means bike and most likely seat beside the bike rack.

Unfortunately I don't think this is the case.

The "-bk" is for bike however the seat they allocate you is not beside the bike rack area.

I had a few IR reservations last summer and the seat they allocated (say bike rack in rear left corner of carriage) was at the front right of the same carriage at the wheelchair/disabled area, basically the far end of the carriage. The seats were all either 05 or 06 so reservation read as "Carriage D Seat 05-bk" or "Carriage D Seat 06-bk" etc.

I didn't think anything of sitting away from my bike until somebody turfed a pram and a few suitcases into the bike area on top of my bike. Nothing damaged but was a pain the the a$$ moving all the stuff to get at my bike when I was getting off.

If you want to keep an eye on your bike just hop into any unreserved seat near the bike rack. It is rare for all seats to be reserved.

Other than the bizarre seat allocation I haven't had any hassle with IR and travelling with a bike.

Try get there a wee bit early to ensure you get your reserved bike space. You do get some people travelling without bike reservations.

eeeee · 06-01-2015 11:57pm

blobbie wrote: »

Unfortunately I don't think this is the case.

The "-bk" is for bike however the seat they allocate you is not beside the bike rack area.

I had a few IR reservations last summer and the seat they allocated (say bike rack in rear left corner of carriage) was at the front right of the same carriage at the wheelchair/disabled area, basically the far end of the carriage. The seats were all either 05 or 06 so reservation read as "Carriage D Seat 05-bk" or "Carriage D Seat 06-bk" etc.

I didn't think anything of sitting away from my bike until somebody turfed a pram and a few suitcases into the bike area on top of my bike. Nothing damaged but was a pain the the a$$ moving all the stuff to get at my bike when I was getting off.

If you want to keep an eye on your bike just hop into any unreserved seat near the bike rack. It is rare for all seats to be reserved.

Other than the bizarre seat allocation I haven't had any hassle with IR and travelling with a bike.

Try get there a wee bit early to ensure you get your reserved bike space. You do get some people travelling without bike reservations.

Like me

I sit in front of or beside the bike if the seats are unreserved. I lock my bike onto the rack thing too just in case if I can't. Mainly getting there early helps, earlier than you think is reasonable!
Also I have had people do throw bags and stuff in on top of my bike so be careful of that.

smacl · 07-01-2015 7:42am

blobbie wrote: »

Unfortunately I don't think this is the case.

The "-bk" is for bike however the seat they allocate you is not beside the bike rack area.

What I've found is the seat they allocate you is beside the bike rack in the schematic shown on the web site, but the bike rack on the train doesn't ever seem to match the web schematic. My experience is if you get there early, you end up sitting beside the bike on the rack (if there even is a rack!) On the Waterford train you've also got an issue that of the five carriages that leave Dublin, only three end up in Waterford, so if the bike is on an end carriage, you have to move it at Kilkenny. If you see a rack in a middle and end carriage, go for the one in the middle.

blobbie · 07-01-2015 8:33am

smacl wrote: »

What I've found is the seat they allocate you is beside the bike rack in the schematic shown on the web site, but the bike rack on the train doesn't ever seem to match the web schematic. My experience is if you get there early, you end up sitting beside the bike on the rack (if there even is a rack!) On the Waterford train you've also got an issue that of the five carriages that leave Dublin, only three end up in Waterford, so if the bike is on an end carriage, you have to move it at Kilkenny. If you see a rack in a middle and end carriage, go for the one in the middle.

Good call on the split trains. Haven't been on a split train line so wouldn't have considered this myself.

OldBean · 07-01-2015 9:53am

I don't think the Waterford train splits anymore, or at least hasn't done over the last 4/5 years - The driver just walks to the other end of the train and drives(?) away. Otherwise I would have woken up stranded in KK a bit too often.

I've had train journeys with the bike go absolutely fine, with myself and my partner having pre-booked the bike rack and got on early, but also had people trying to squeeze their bikes in between ours to 'make it fit' as well as finding my bike covered in others luggage. Security wise, if you can't sit near the bike, then make it as awkward as possible to move - It's one of the few times a cheap cable lock could come in handy. But you should be able get a seat nearby. The last time I travelled I'd a pretty bad experience that ended up in my bike getting scratched up, deraileur dinged and rear wheel put out of true, the staff on the train telling me if I wanted to bring a bike I should cycle to my destination, and Customer Service basically telling me that the bike racks are actually for wheelchairs, and they couldn't continue with my complaint because I'd taken up a wheelchair seat, and wasn't in compliance with their bylaws.

For wheelchairs:

For Bikes:

Koobcam · 07-01-2015 11:04am

Didn't realise you could pre-book bike racks-I always try to just show up 20-30 mins ahead of time and basically get to the bike racks before they fill up with other bikes and/or luggage, prams etc. I generally don;t worry too much about theft, but would try to sit in such a way that I can see the bike rack. I'd also remove clip-on stuff like lights, Garmins etc-I actually had a rear light nicked once on the train. Have to say also that, given the limited number of bike spaces available (maximum of 4 and often just 2), it would be nice if people with fold-up bikes actually folded them up and stashed them in the luggage racks-that's kind of the point of these things. They don't even fit properly on the bike racks.

Dexif · 07-01-2015 11:22am

godtabh wrote: »

Cant seem to find info on their website. What's the story with bikes on trains? Been invited to a local spin in Athlone. 45km/h head wind means I'm not cycling down the day before

Hi, I get this train most days. Depending on the time/day you are going there may be up to around 10 bikes on board (with only 2 spaces) so get there early. If there are no spaces available then I find it best to stand with the bike in the carriage with the disabled toilet in the section by the doors. This is where there is most space and the bike is not in anyone's way. Most people with bikes will be getting off at the Newbridge stop and then you can get a space in the bike rack. There is also a little known vertical bike space in this carriage behind a white door beside the toilet. This door is sometimes locked but you could check it if the racks are full.

smacl · 07-01-2015 11:38am

OldBean wrote: »

I don't think the Waterford train splits anymore, or at least hasn't done over the last 4/5 years - The driver just walks to the other end of the train and drives(?) away. Otherwise I would have woken up stranded in KK a bit too often.

Happened to me three times last year, including December. Listened to a perplexed conversation between two teens trying to find each other on the same train, both having walked as far as they could on their own side. Had to move my bike twice over the year. Also had to take the wheels off and stash it upside down in the wheelchair area on one trip, where the last two carriages weren't even on from Dublin.

..Customer Service basically telling me that the bike racks are actually for wheelchairs..

Perhaps they should have a quick look at their own website.

Grumpy old fella that I am, I'd probably look for their own details after such a ridiculous statement and talk to Joe

I'm up and down to South Wexford regularly, and if I'm not planning on cycling home, I'd often just hire a bike in Wexford town rather than dealing with the Irish rail bike service. Also seriously considering a folding bike for these trips.

Doctor Bob · 07-01-2015 12:08pm

OldBean wrote: »

The last time I travelled I'd a pretty bad experience that ended up in my bike getting scratched up, deraileur dinged and rear wheel put out of true, the staff on the train telling me if I wanted to bring a bike I should cycle to my destination, and Customer Service basically telling me that the bike racks are actually for wheelchairs, and they couldn't continue with my complaint because I'd taken up a wheelchair seat, and wasn't in compliance with their bylaws.

Transport for Ireland (the NTA) has a Passenger Rights section on its Help and Contact page, which can be used 'If you feel that your passenger rights have been infringed and you have already made a complaint to the operator': http://www.transportforireland.ie/help-and-contact/ Go to Irish Rail >> Make a Complaint >> Passenger Rights, which will take you to the web form.

The NTA is the designated National Enforcement Body under EU Regulation 1371/2007, which came into force in December 2009 (although, see below).

I'm not certain that damage to property is covered, but it can't hurt to try. The EU's own explanatory note is here: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/passengers/rail/doc/2009_12_03_summary_of_new_rail_passenger_rights.pdf
See page 8 for starters.

Also interesting to note- Ireland availed itself of a 5 year exemption from 1371/2007 (as was permitted), but this lapsed on 4th December 2014.

It remains to be seen whether Ireland seeks further exemptions, as also permitted. Two more five year periods are allowed, up to a maximum of 15 years. So at the very latest, 1371/2007 will be in force in Ireland by 2024, though it might be sooner than that.

Be that as it may, the TFI Passenger Rights procedure is already in place as mentioned.

OldBean · 07-01-2015 12:43pm

smacl wrote: »

Happened to me three times last year, including December. Listened to a perplexed conversation between two teens trying to find each other on the same train, both having walked as far as they could on their own side. Had to move my bike twice over the year. Also had to take the wheels off and stash it upside down in the wheelchair area on one trip, where the last two carriages weren't even on from Dublin.

I didn't know they were still at it - Pretty poor form, and surely an easy one to solve by giving better notice to customers.

Perhaps they should have a quick look at their own website.

Grumpy old fella that I am, I'd probably look for their own details after such a ridiculous statement and talk to Joe

I explained that to the guy in their customer care dept. There was no movement or discussion other than they mailed the station manager with a copy of my email. Then I was told I'd broken their bylaws and was lucky I wasn't fined for using the wheelchair space...

Doctor Bob wrote: »

Transport for Ireland (the NTA) has a Passenger Rights section on its Help and Contact page, which can be used 'If you feel that your passenger rights have been infringed and you have already made a complaint to the operator': http://www.transportforireland.ie/help-and-contact/ Go to Irish Rail >> Make a Complaint >> Passenger Rights, which will take you to the web form.

The NTA is the designated National Enforcement Body under EU Regulation 1371/2007, which came into force in December 2009 (although, see below).

I'm not certain that damage to property is covered, but it can't hurt to try. The EU's own explanatory note is here: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/passengers/rail/doc/2009_12_03_summary_of_new_rail_passenger_rights.pdf
See page 8 for starters.

Also interesting to note- Ireland availed itself of a 5 year exemption from 1371/2007 (as was permitted), but this lapsed on 4th December 2014.

It remains to be seen whether Ireland seeks further exemptions, as also permitted. Two more five year periods are allowed, up to a maximum of 15 years. So at the very latest, 1371/2007 will be in force in Ireland by 2024, though it might be sooner than that.

Be that as it may, the TFI Passenger Rights procedure is already in place as mentioned.

Interesting.

"The railway companies shall enable passengers to bring their bicycles on to any train, if they are easy to handle, if it does not adversely affect the specific rail service, and if the rolling-stock so permits."

godtabh · 07-01-2015 12:49pm

Heading down early on Saturday. Shouldn't be too busy just wondering is it risky bringing the new bike

Koobcam · 07-01-2015 1:04pm

godtabh wrote: »

Heading down early on Saturday. Shouldn't be too busy just wondering is it risky bringing the new bike

Saturday should be grand, train will be half empty. You really should be cycling down to Athlone though...

godtabh · 07-01-2015 1:08pm

Koobcam wrote: »

Saturday should be grand, train will be half empty. You really should be cycling down to Athlone though...

Normally do but there is a 45km/h head wind this saturday so no thanks. Also been invited to a local club spin on sunday. Would rather do that

smacl · 07-01-2015 1:16pm

godtabh wrote: »

Normally do but there is a 45km/h head wind this saturday so no thanks. Also been invited to a local club spin on sunday. Would rather do that

Definitely cycle home so. Great buzz taking a long spin in harsh weather with the winds behind you.

godtabh · 07-01-2015 1:19pm

The last time I did which such a head wind I averaged just under 32km/h over 140km. Was happy with that!

smacl · 03-02-2015 11:25am

Had the bike to and from Waterford on the train at the weekend. Irish rail on-line booking for bikes now no longer works on either Wexford or Waterford routes, and works out more expensive to do at the station. Also had to move the bike from one carriage to another in Kilkenny yet again. I know our rail system has problems, but trains and bikes seems to be getting worse rather than better.

godtabh · 03-02-2015 12:07pm

smacl wrote: »

Had the bike to and from Waterford on the train at the weekend. Irish rail on-line booking for bikes now no longer works on either Wexford or Waterford routes, and works out more expensive to do at the station. Also had to move the bike from one carriage to another in Kilkenny yet again. I know our rail system has problems, but trains and bikes seems to be getting worse rather than better.

i'm probably re doing the trip again this week so I'll let you know how it turns out.

Nisio · 12-04-2016 2:29pm

Weepsie wrote:

Sorry for digging up an old thread, but found that Irish Rail have since changed their Bike arrangements. Most trains now seem to have only 2 spaces that are bookable, exception being some Dub-Cork. They now no longer charge for taking a bike, but just take fewer bikes. Gone are my weekend plans, albeit due to my own delaying

As far as I know:
You have to book if you're travelling into or out of heuston during peak times (basically before 1900) outside of that you don't need a booking.

On their website a booking only seems to be between the start and end station of a route so if you're getting on at an intermediate station it might seem like you can't book.

I suspect that the only place it's being enforced is in heuston station and maybe inconsistently , plenty of non folding bikes going through the barriers with no one checking bookings.

Irish Rail & Bikes

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