Roll-on access on Amtrak – support the Lipinski Amendment TODAY

[dasgeh]

@mattotoole 109996 wrote:

Sorry for the short notice – please contact your congressman TODAY to support the Lipinski Amendment for roll-on bicycle access on Amtrak trains. A vote is imminent. Personal notes would be great, but the League has provided a ready-made alert:

I think this is the link others want to use:

http://bikeleague.org/TakeAction

[PotomacCyclist]

Done

[mstone]

I’m mixed about this. On the one hand I’d like to see the service. On the other hand, amtrak’s biggest existential threat is congressional micromanagement.

[elbows]

Can anyone report on what happened with this? I looked on the bikeleague page but it still said “take action today”.

[Starduster]

Passed the House. On its way forward: https://www.facebook.com/leagueamericanbicyclists/photos/a.10150198692254611.314042.53822634610/10152799071739611/?type=1&theater

[mattotoole]

@mstone 110023 wrote:

I’m mixed about this. On the one hand I’d like to see the service. On the other hand, amtrak’s biggest existential threat is congressional micromanagement.

Amtrak’s biggest existential threat is being de-funded and cut completely. That very well could have happened, but thankfully it didn’t. The funding bill was passed, with the Lipinski amendment:

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/234622-house-passes-amtrak-reauthorization-bill

Thanks to everyone who wrote!

I don’t know what you mean by congressional micromanagement. If anything it’s the opposite, but not really. The whole idea is just not applicable.

Amtrak provides the service specified by the states (and cities) it runs through, which also partially fund it. For example, Virginia is buying new rolling stock for the upcoming service to Roanoke, which actually originates in the northeast. All the trains serving our area come from several states away. Each one may have its own requirements — like roll-on bike/wheelchair access, cargo, pet cars — which Amtrak has to coordinate. The “standardization” in this funding bill can help with that, vs. continually reinventing the wheel (or the bike rack, as the case may be).

[mstone]

Amtrak is being told by Congress to operate like a business and is simultaneously given congressional mandates to provide services that aren’t profitable. This falls into that category. As much as I’d like to see bike service, the reality is that dedicating space to bikes on a train that is already full means cutting something else (like revenue seats). If amtrak were to decide that it was a sensible thing to do, great. If Congress mandates it, then penalizes amtrak for not meeting financial targets, then not great.

[brendan]

@mstone 110307 wrote:

Amtrak is being told by Congress to operate like a business and is simultaneously given congressional mandates to provide services that aren’t profitable. This falls into that category. As much as I’d like to see bike service, the reality is that dedicating space to bikes on a train that is already full means cutting something else (like revenue seats). If amtrak were to decide that it was a sensible thing to do, great. If Congress mandates it, then penalizes amtrak for not meeting financial targets, then not great.

I agree, in particular, about the abusive relationship between congress and amtrak.

But there’s also this: I have *no* practical reason to take Amtrak without a way to easily bring my bike with me. Now, if it were easy/easier to bring my bike, that makes *me* much more likely to be a customer and increases revenue…

That said, whether this particular change will get me there isn’t clear (my cargo bike is my “touring” bike, and it might not be allowed). But for others, roll on/roll off definitely makes train travel much more favorable to hybrid bike touring.

B

[americancyclo]

Got this email from Tim Kaine today:

Thank you for contacting me about Amtrak boarding procedures. I appreciate hearing from you.

I understand concerns about roll-on access to Amtrak trains, particularly for the disabled. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 required that nearly all Amtrak stations be made usable by persons with disabilities by 2010. Amtrak has failed to meet this requirement, and the House of Representatives recently passed legislation requiring that the Amtrak Inspector General consider passengers who use non-motorized transportation (such as bicycles or certain wheelchairs) in its report on boarding procedures. This provision passed as part of a larger bill authorizing appropriations for Amtrak through 2019.
The Senate will have an opportunity to debate legislation and offer amendments if an Amtrak reauthorization bill is considered this year. I will be certain to keep your views in mind if the Senate considers legislation to reauthorize Amtrak.
Again, thank you for contacting me.

[Author]

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