Amtrak Launches Bicycle Service and Baggage Check on Pennsylvanian Trains

Traveling with bikes and extra bags now more convenient between New York and Pittsburgh

PHILADELPHIA – As part of a collaborative ongoing effort, Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) have introduced a checked bicycle service on the Amtrak Pennsylvanian, which operates daily between New York– Philadelphia – Harrisburg – Pittsburgh. In addition, checked baggage service has also been restored.

The stations that now offer these amenities include New York (NYP), Newark (NWK), Philadelphia (PHL), Lancaster (LNC), Harrisburg (HAR), Altoona (ALT), Johnstown (JST) and Pittsburgh (PGH). The fee for checked bicycle service is $20 and Amtrak reservation and baggage policies apply.

“Amtrak is pleased to offer our Pennsylvanian customers the convenience of traveling with their bikes and the ability to check bags at select stations between New York and Pittsburgh,” said Joe McHugh Amtrak vice president for state-supported services. “These service enhancements are part of Amtrak and PennDOT’s continued collaboration to enhance the customer experience on Pennsylvania state-supported routes.”

“Expanding multimodal transportation options doesn’t end at the train station,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation Jennie Granger. “The expanded checked bicycle service will allow travelers from across the country to explore Pennsylvania’s outstanding recreational opportunities with day trips to historic communities or longer bikepacking adventures to the many state and local parks, lakes and forests along the Pennsylvania’s BicyclePA Routes and state trails.”

Additionally, for customers who are connecting in Pittsburgh via the Capitol Limited (operating daily between Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Chicago) bikes and bags will be transferred through to the final destination.

Customers checking their bikes (no box required) must arrive at the station 45 minutes prior to the train departure to allow time to purchase a ticket and obtain a baggage tag and transport the bike to the baggage car. Only standard bikes will be permitted. If equipped with large seat/saddle bags, handlebar bags or panniers, the items must be removed from the bike, consolidated, and checked or carried on the train. Customers can reserve their bikes by selecting “add bike” when they book their train travel on Amtrak.com, by calling 800-USA-RAIL or by visiting any staffed ticket office. Reserve early; limited space is available.

At stations where checked baggage is available, each passenger can check two bags free of charge to their final destination.