MARC debuts weekend bike car service between D.C. and Baltimore

This topic has 16 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 3 months ago by vvill.

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December 12, 2014 at 7:34 pm #1016832

rcannon100
Participant

One word: Harpers Ferry Line!

December 12, 2014 at 8:10 pm #1016837

KLizotte
Participant

This is so freakin’ awesome!!!! Now folks can get to the BWI and WB&A trails as well as Baltimore easily without a car!!! Annapolis will also be doable if you don’t mind taking the long way around. One way bike trips to B’more will now be possible.

Thanks MARC and WABA!!!! Can’t wait to try it out once the weather is warmer. It’s a shame they rolled this out in the middle of winter when usage will be low.

December 12, 2014 at 10:20 pm #1016847

PotomacCyclist
Participant

@rcannon100 101848 wrote:

One word: Harpers Ferry Line!

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/25159/you-can-now-bring-your-bike-to-baltimore-on-weekend-marc-trains/

“The bike cars can currently carry 16 full-size bicycle, but can be modified to accommodate up to 26 bikes. The first two bike train cars are pilot designs. Launching weekend service allows MARC officials to evaluate the design and operation of the service with lighter passenger traffic.

With a refined train car design and operation kinks worked out, MARC will look to expand bike service to weekdays and other lines. Depending on customer demand, MARC might add a second bike car to service in 2015 (read: go use the service!). There is no definite timeline for expansion to weekday service at this point.”

December 12, 2014 at 10:38 pm #1016848

PotomacCyclist
Participant

As an aside, at 3:16 pm tomorrow afternoon, the date and time will be the following (under the 24-hr clock):

12/13/14, 15:16

17 seconds later, the date and time will be

12/13/14, 15:16:17

Maybe this numerical oddity will ensure that all MARC trains will run on time this weekend, loaded up with bikes on the new cars?

December 13, 2014 at 4:33 pm #1016871

PotomacCyclist
Participant

The time and date at 11 seconds after 9:10 am, this morning:

9:10:11 12/13/14

December 13, 2014 at 5:11 pm #1016875

cyclingfool
Participant

@PotomacCyclist 101888 wrote:

The time and date at 11 seconds after 9:10 am, this morning:

9:10:11 12/13/14

Dammit. I missed that one!

December 13, 2014 at 5:17 pm #1016876

PotomacCyclist
Participant

Someone else pointed it out to me, yesterday. I thought of the 12/13/14 15:16:17 one myself, although I read about the 12/13/14 pattern from a Smithsonian Magazine article.

Next March 14 (Pi Day) will be 3/14/15, which takes pi out to four decimal places, instead of the usual two.

Smithsonian Magazine said that today would be the last sequential date in this century. But someone pointed out in the comments that there will be a 1/2/34 in 20 years. So sometimes there is merit to online comments. Occasionally.

December 16, 2014 at 10:28 pm #1017148

PotomacCyclist
Participant

The Maryland Transit Administration posted a video highlighting the new bike car service:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=850781928278008

Check out the list of Bicycle Car Etiquette rules at the 0:48 mark:

1. Board and exit from appropriate doors. [Sensible enough.]
2. Be in control of your bicycle when loading and unloading.

Skip down to the bottom of the list.

8. Use spandex appropriately.

Wait, what? Is this anti-MAMIL discrimination here? Should a government agency be engaging in such behavior? LOL

December 16, 2014 at 11:59 pm #1017152

KLizotte
Participant

Great catch! Fortunately they used a after the msg so someone has a sense of humor at MARC (I hope).

December 17, 2014 at 12:17 am #1017153

Rod Smith
Participant

Uh, there was already an easy way to get to Baltimore, BWI Trail, WB&A Trail, and Annapolis without a car. This will make it easier to get to Pennsylvania without a car.

December 17, 2014 at 12:52 am #1017156

DismalScientist
Participant

@KLizotte 102188 wrote:

Great catch! Fortunately they used a after the msg so someone has a sense of humor at MARC (I hope).

Humor in a quasi-governmental agency? This must be squashed without mercy.

December 17, 2014 at 2:40 am #1017170

KLizotte
Participant

@DismalScientist 102192 wrote:

Humor in a quasi-governmental agency? This must be squashed without mercy.

MARC obviously doesn’t employ any economists. :p

December 17, 2014 at 4:06 am #1017177

mattotoole
Participant

@rcannon100 101848 wrote:

One word: Harpers Ferry Line!

Indeed. We’ll probably get that on Amtrak soon, but having both would really make it work.

Kudos to Champe Burnley as the alpha cage-rattler making all this happen.

October 30, 2015 at 2:24 pm #1040324

PotomacCyclist
Participant

Update: All 30 weekend MARC Penn Line trains will now have a bike car, starting tomorrow.

http://mta.maryland.gov/news/mta-rolls-out-bike-cars-all-weekend-trains

January 7, 2016 at 2:47 pm #1044185

elbows
Participant

@PotomacCyclist 127045 wrote:

Update: All 30 weekend MARC Penn Line trains will now have a bike car, starting tomorrow.

http://mta.maryland.gov/news/mta-rolls-out-bike-cars-all-weekend-trains

I haven’t been on a MARC train in about 9 years. I’m planning to be a tourist in Baltimore on Saturday. I’m guessing I can show up at Union Station, easily get a spot for my bike on the train, and then do the reverse early evening. I also presume I can ride around Baltimore between art museums and whatnot easily enough.

I found the schedule here: http://mta.maryland.gov/sites/default/files/Quick%20Post%20PENN-Weekend_Sched110615_0.pdf as the links in the above are already out of date.

I’m guessing I can not take my bicycle to Baltimore on a weekday (even though I would be contra-crowds I imagine.)

Warnings to the contrary appreciated. I’ve ridden Baltimore on the Tour du Port a few times but never as a commuter.
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