Bikes on Amtraks? Not Quite Yet

We’ve received this note from Nancy Schulz of the Vermont Bike & Pedestrian Coalition, who wanted to correct the information she sent out yesterday:

Since sending yesterday’s message, I’ve spoken directly with Bill Hollister who is the Principal Officer of Amtrak’s Public Affairs Department. Bill explained that Amtrak has selected the “Vermonter” for a study that will examine the feasibility of rolling bikes onto certain types of Amtrak trains that are not equipped with a checked baggage car. It’s not known how long the study will take, when and how bikes will be permitted to roll onto the Vermonter, or what fee may be charged for this service. The study is in the very earliest stages and doesn’t involve any other train route at this time.

There are discounts for passengers traveling on Amtrak using the Ethan Allen and Vermonter trains and the correct details are as follows: From any Amtrak station in Vermont to any other Amtrak station in Vermont, there is a discounted one-way fare of $12. A reservation must be made at least one day in advance. Note that there are some blackout dates and the discount is contingent upon seat availability. There is also a Visit Vermont Discount of 20% from any destination along the routes of the Vermont trains which requires a three-day advance reservation and also has blackout dates and availability restrictions. Vermont’s Department of Tourism and Marketing recommends you access the discounts via:

http://www.vermontvacation.com/Travel%20Resources/Vermont%20By%20Rail.aspx

My apologies for any confusion and inconvenience caused by yesterday’s message.