Bikes on Darts at peak times

Cyrus · 20-09-2023 05:10PM #1

Is the fact that bikes arent supposed to be brought onto trains at peak times ever enforced, every evening i see people forcing themselves onto the dart with a bike in Pearse at 6pm.

Consonata · 20-09-2023 06:32PM

They really should be getting a hold of bike-dedicated carriages for Darts to be honest, similar to that they have for the Cork Main Line. There is a clear demand and its a fantastic service, especially for morning commutes. Encourages folk to hop on the bike for the last couple mile to their workplace.

Cyrus · 20-09-2023 06:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121135205#Comment_121135205

Maybe so but it's a bit selfish to be ramming a bike into an already packed carriage

loyatemu · 21-09-2023 10:51AM

It used to be somewhat enforced by the drivers but it seems to be a free for all recently.

From my own observations I don't think it's as big a problem in the mornings as it's mostly commuters from further out who are bringing bikes on board, so they getting onto relatively empty trains in the morning, but then going back on very busy trains from the city centre in the evenings where they're pushing their bikes into crowded vestibules.

They really should be getting a hold of bike-dedicated carriages for Darts to be honest

the new carriages have dedicated areas for bike.

Macy0161 · 21-09-2023 11:12AM

Haven't noticed the new carriages with bike areas, or are they not on stream yet (still a fair chance of getting an older dart carriage too).

fwiw I was on a packed dart from Bray yesterday morning (I'd guess a no show, and then it was a greystones one), and two e scooters in a packed standing area. The folding/ folded one actually took up more space than the one the fella was just standing over.

loyatemu · 21-09-2023 11:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121137561#Comment_121137561

new Dart carriages are due in service 2025

https://www.dartplus.ie/en-ie/projects/dart-fleet

there are also new Intercity carriages with extra bike spaces which have already arrived and should be in service early next year.

dowlingm · 21-09-2023 09:55PM

Bikes are becoming a significant issue on some commuter rail services into Toronto because so many of them are delivery riders coming from the outer suburbs to work downtown deliveries. While I understand their need, they don’t pay a separate fare for their bikes and there are so many that doors are being blocked, and they only bring their own bikes because the companies they work for want “gig workers” (and the riders themselves may sign on for more than one app), but are demanding that government resolve the issue with more coaches and services

Consonata · 23-09-2023 12:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121137461#Comment_121137461

It's the same as what exists currently though where the bike space and wheelchair space is shared, when there is the demand for a separate carriage at peak times, much like what is on the Cork main line

Flinty997 · 27-09-2023 10:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058314665/bikes-on-darts-at-peak-times

It's Ireland. Is anything ever enforced.

Just a correction though. Folding bicycles are allowed no restrictions if folded and covered.

"...Bicycles on DART and Commuter Trains

We welcome bicycles free of charge on off peak DART and Commuter services. Bicycles that are folded and covered can be carried on all DART and Commuter services with no time restrictions.

Bicycles are not permitted on DART and Commuter services before 10:00 and between the hours of 15:30 and 19:00 Monday to Friday. Customers can travel with bikes all day Saturday and Sunday..."

traco · 19-12-2023 06:05PM

I've seen adds on social media, posters on darts and also notices on the dynamic platform signs in the last few weeks. I'd imagine something is coming on this and could start seeing enforcement in jan 24

Beta Ray Bill · 20-12-2023 03:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058314665/bikes-on-darts-at-peak-times

Worse that the bikes is the e-scooters.... they won't even fold them up.

People are A**holes. (Not just cyclists)

If security catch you with a bike on the train they should just ask you to get off the train or take it off you.

Losty Dublin · 29-12-2023 06:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121518252#Comment_121518252

One morning a couple of years ago I saw a courier with a branded bike and carry box of a certain food delivery firm squeeze onto a rush hour train at Ashtown. He got off at Broombridge for what it's worth.

Citizen Six · 29-12-2023 06:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121515092#Comment_121515092

Nah. Ads is as far as it will go. There won't be enforcement on Darts. Some CSOs will stop people on intercity services, but that's about it.

billyhead · 29-12-2023 07:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121547762#Comment_121547762

They could start turfing people off the train with a bike.

Citizen Six · 30-12-2023 09:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121548131#Comment_121548131

They could, but they won't. That's my point.

Flinty997 · 30-12-2023 09:48AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121137461#Comment_121137461

True a few years back I had driver insist I move my (folded) folding bike from the wheelchair area. This on an empty train. They used to give out regularly on the intercom and I get daggers from other people. Even though my bike was in the luggage rack. Being dressed as a cyclist (yellow) marks you out.

They solved the issue by making the train shorter as it got busier so there wasn't even space for a wafer thin mint, never mind a folding bike. Stopped bringing it.

Flinty997 · 30-12-2023 09:52AM

Once on my train someone locked a full sized bike to the door which then couldn't open. The cyclist ignored all intercom warnings from the driver. Until eventually the driver stopped the train and refused to move until the bike was unlocked and moved. Cyclist was very slow to even do that.

Someone bringing a full sized bike on a packed train at peak has to be fairly obnoxious and selfish to do that.

Flinty997 · 30-12-2023 09:54AM

Scooters are very bulky. But I see they have ones that double fold now...

https://www.currys.ie/products/pure-electric-pure-advance-flex-electric-folding-scooter-platinum-silver-10250521.html

Citizen Six · 30-12-2023 01:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121549266#Comment_121549266

What kind of train was that on?

Flinty997 · 30-12-2023 01:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121549817#Comment_121549817

Intercity on Docklands. Train uses a different side of train after the initial station.

getoutadodge · 30-12-2023 02:20PM

Looks to me like one bike spot per carraige?

https://youtu.be/88ILsngPDlQ

Citizen Six · 30-12-2023 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121549867#Comment_121549867

So rather than lock to the door, it was locked to the handle support in the vestibule and blocking the door?

I've often seen people get on with a bike at Docklands, and they won't bother to move up to the bike space designed for them. Have to ask them nicely to do it. Some of those Docklands services get very packed.

Consonata · 30-12-2023 03:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121550193#Comment_121550193

Irish Rail really need to get more of the bike carriages that they have already on the Cork IC services. They're fantastic and basically get rid of this problem of bikes on the service.

Citizen Six · 30-12-2023 03:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121550223#Comment_121550223

They have them, they just aren't introduced on services yet. They should be up and running in the next couple of months.

You can't compare to the Mark 4s on the Cork route though.

Flinty997 · 30-12-2023 03:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121550193#Comment_121550193

Door couldn't physically open. However he did it. When the door moved the bike moved.

Only the intercity has a bike spaces (2) and it's just inside the door, and very awkward to get a bike in. And it's double stacked so Unless you're getting out at the last stop the inside space is useless. The track in the floor also fouls my derailleur on my folding bike. So I can't use it.

When it was packed you couldn't move anywhere so pointless asking anyone to move anywhere. It's ridiculous bringing a full sized bike on it.

That said it's not as busy as it was pre lock down. So when it's quieter there is space for a bike.

Citizen Six · 30-12-2023 04:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121550035#Comment_121550035

That's not an exact carriage layout. More to demonstrate the different sections carriages can have.

But you still have the issue where it will be a mixture of trains, and you won't know which will arrive. A Dart+, or an older model.

Citizen Six · 30-12-2023 04:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121550325#Comment_121550325

Finding it hard to picture exactly how that could be done, but I'll have a look at one when travelling on Monday.

Intercity trains actually have three spaces for bikes. I know what you mean about them not being suitable. One of my bikes has a mudguard I have to adjust when putting into the bike space. And some people aren't physically able to lift their bike into the space. It can be awkward.

Citizen Six · 30-12-2023 04:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121550488#Comment_121550488

Services will be more frequent, so trains shouldn't be as packed. That's the plan anyway. Still a bit of a bottleneck at Connolly.

Flinty997 · 30-12-2023 04:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121550452#Comment_121550452

He had it locked to the rail/handle inside the door. Thinking about it, it was the door opened but couldn't close. I was sitting about 5 rows away. People would have assume it was my bike, (yellow jacket etc) but he was middle carriage. The drive came down and shoved it in the first stop. Refused to do at the next one. Guy just sat ignoring it.

Flinty997 · 30-12-2023 04:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121550452#Comment_121550452

Never seen one with 3 spaces

https://irishcycle.com/how-to/how-to-bring-bicycles-on-public-transport/

Flinty997 · 30-12-2023 04:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121550506#Comment_121550506

Some people would drive a SUV on the train if they could.

Bikes on Darts at peak times

Comments

"...Bicycles on DART and Commuter Trains