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.