No bikes on Amtrak Cardinal service?

[madsen89]

I've been having a long e-mail discussion with Amtrak customer service because I found that no Cardinal trains have bike space available starting Jan. 2, 2020 through the limit of their reservation system. So far, all I have gotten from customer service is, "I'm sorry that you can't find bicycle availability. I suggest that you check other trains and cities."

Thing is, "0" availability starts the first of the year. There's plenty of space available before then. Also, it shows that there is no space for pets either. I suggested that the reservation system is wrong and customer service denies that is the case. I find it hard to believe that people are logging on every day and booking the next available day's bikes (6) and pets (5).

Is there anyone on this forum who is "in the know?" It is frustrating that I am getting the run-around here.

[John Nettles]

While I am not in the know, perhaps calling a city station instead of the actual nationwide customer service might give a more accurate idea of what is going on.  Also, perhaps they are re-configuring the train cars so no longer will have the car that carries bikes.  Is this for checked baggage also?  If the Cardinal takes checked baggage, I would think you could still take a BOXED bike perhaps. 

Let us know the outcome!  Tailwinds, John

[jamawani]

I encountered that with Amtrak this summer.
Couldn't see any availability on line - knew it was a glitch.
But agents can't do anything either.
It's all computer driven.
And if the computer says, "Zero" it's zero.

Kinda like Social Security telling you you're dead.
You can walk right into the office with your SSA card -
And the secretary will say in all seriousness -
"I'm sorry, Mr. Smith, but according to our records you are dead."

[aggie]

I just went online for a trip starting Jan 26 in NYC to Chicago and  I was able to add a bicycle to my fare.  Are starting your train trip in a station with baggage service? 

[madsen89]

That's interesting. I see that the westbound train 51 appears to be normal. I can add bikes to those trains. I checked about 30 different dates between Chicago and Indianapolis and a few other cities with baggage service for the eastbound train and none of them have space for pets or bikes.

Thing is, the customer service agent said that there are no changes planned for next year implying that all the bike space must be booked from January through October next year. In addition they are all being booked on a daily basis since I have checked dates as they become available.

[John Nettles]

Out of curiosity, where and when are you trying to travel from?

[madsen89]

The start will be in Chicago, but the endpoint is still undecided. Indianapolis or Cincinnati are the two likeliest possibilities. The Hoosier was discontinued so that is no longer an option either.

[aggie]

I see what you are talking about.  The other option is to buy one of Amtrak’s bike boxes.  You could go to the station to see if there is carry on space available.  If not, then buy a bike box.  It is a bit of a pain and a little more expensive but at least the bike will be with you.

[staehpj1]

If not, then buy a bike box.  It is a bit of a pain and a little more expensive but at least the bike will be with you.

It isn't much expense or trouble assuming there is baggage service at all stations where you board or depart trains.  I found the biggest hassle was waiting for my bike at the destination if it was at a big city, but that wasn't a big deal at all at a small station.  It might actually be worth finding a small town destination for that reason.

[BikeliciousBabe]

I encountered that with Amtrak this summer.
Couldn't see any availability on line - knew it was a glitch.
But agents can't do anything either.
It's all computer driven.
And if the computer says, "Zero" it's zero.

I have experienced the same thing with a couple of the Northeast Regional trains. Once or twice I looked many months ahead, and during what I thought would be non-peak times, and got the same result. Zero. Wondered whether it was a glitch of if bikes were no longer allowed on those trains and the website had not been updated.

[John Nettles]

OK, I looked at the website and saw a couple of things. First, if there is no train ONLY  (no buses as part of ticket) option then I think they have never allowed bikes (boxed or not) on buses.  So you have to think the way it was a few years ago before roll-on bikes.

Second, after speaking with Amtrak Customer Service, the "bikes available" on the booking page means ROLL-ON bikes, not check baggage bikes.  I little confusing but I am pretty sure that is what it means.  If you go to ttps://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard and review the "Boxed Bike in Checked Baggage" section, you will see Cardinal does accept bikes as checked baggage.  That means you have to start and end your trip at stations with "Checked Baggage" available.  I called and confirmed you could do a BOXED bike on the Cardinal even if no slots remain on the ticketing.

Thirdly, contrary to what the Schedule document shows, in January, the Cardinal will operate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday only.  When I tried to book a train on Jan 14 (Tuesday), I did get a train with checked baggage but no roll-on.

Finally, like you, I was bugged how no bikes were allowed as roll-on at least thru July so I called Amtrak Website Support and they said yes the slots were being blocked not just unavailable.  After putting me on hold, he finally came back and said that due to the weekend, they could not find out why it was blocked but the issue was escalated.  He said to check back on Wednesday if it was not open on the website by then.  He also confirmed you could box a bike and take it to Cincinnati. 

Hope this helps somewhat.
Tailwinds, John

[madsen89]

Finally, like you, I was bugged how no bikes were allowed as roll-on at least thru July so I called Amtrak Website Support and they said yes the slots were being blocked not just unavailable.  After putting me on hold, he finally came back and said that due to the weekend, they could not find out why it was blocked but the issue was escalated.  He said to check back on Wednesday if it was not open on the website by then.  He also confirmed you could box a bike and take it to Cincinnati. 

Thanks, John, for taking the effort to call. You seem to have had much more success than me. Here's hoping it makes a difference.

Yeah, I know that boxing is an option, but I find that to be a bit risky since Amtrak never guarantees a box to be available. Besides, I've used the bike service a few times now and am very spoiled by the convenience.

[madsen89]

Well, nothing has changed. Still no bike service on train 50 all of next year. (Except for Jan. 4)

Now, I've noticed strange things on the Empire Builder #7. Most trains between Chicago and Grand Forks, ND indicate no trainside bicycle service even though the schedule indicates that there is baggage service. Of note, the couple that do indicate that they have space for 6 bikes (a few Fridays in July), also show that baggage service is *not* available. That's a contradiction. Then when you add the seat to the cart, there is no "add on" for the bike. Contradiction #2.

At this point, it seems that Amtrak's reservation system simply can't be trusted.

[BikeliciousBabe]

Now, I've noticed strange things on the Empire Builder #7. Most trains between Chicago and Grand Forks, ND indicate no trainside bicycle service even though the schedule indicates that there is baggage service. Of note, the couple that do indicate that they have space for 6 bikes (a few Fridays in July), also show that baggage service is *not* available. That's a contradiction. Then when you add the seat to the cart, there is no "add on" for the bike. Contradiction #2.

At this point, it seems that Amtrak's reservation system simply can't be trusted.

I just played around with the reservation system looking at CHI to Grand Forks for various dates, including every Friday in July. Never was checked baggage or bike service offered. I then looked up the Grand Forks' station amenities. There is no checked baggage at the station. I believe that means that there is also no bike service--trainside or otherwise. If you look at the bike policy page, it states that trainside checked service is only available at "select stations." It has always been my understanding that there is no trainside checked service at stations where there is no checked baggage service unless there are special exceptions. There are two such exceptions on the Empire Builder: Winona, MN and W. Glacier, MT.

https://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard

Note that just because the schedule for the entire route offers checked baggage service doe not mean it's available at every stop along the route. You have to look at the schedule notes.

I then checked CHI to Whitefish, MT for those same dates in July because I knew Whitefish offers checked baggage service. Checked baggage and trainside checked bicycle service for six bikes was available with my reservation.

You wrote that "most trains" between CHI and Grand Forks indicate no trainside service? Which trains do you think do offer it?

[madsen89]

I just played around with the reservation system looking at CHI to Grand Forks for various dates, including every Friday in July. Never was checked baggage or bike service offered.

Be sure to check train 7 and not 27. Only 7 offers any baggage service. When searching for a train on that date, it shows me that baggage service is not offered and that 6 bikes are allowed even though when I add it to the cart, it doesn't give me an option to add a bike.

So, yes, the station details state that there is no baggage service, which you pointed out. However the schedule indicates that it does have baggage service. Guess the schedule is out-of-date.

Bottom line is that baggage service isn't available in Grand Forks, which is disappointing. Thanks for finding the station information. I'll know to check that before trusting the schedule from now on.

(I've attached a couple screenshots illustrating what I see.)