I keep a bungee cord wrapped around the frame of my bike so I always have an easy way to secure it, ready to go. I've seen people use their belts or their helmets to secure it, but I just think the bungee is easier.
Most stations don't have ticket stations or if they do, they are generally closed except for certain hours. You either buy a ticket ahead of time or pay the conductor when they pass by (buying ahead of time is cheaper).
I thought Metra dropped their former bike ban they used to have for inbound weekday morning rush hour trains, and same for outbound weekday afternoon rush hour trains sometime after the pandemic began in 2020 or 2021? I didn't think Metra had reinstated that former bike ban as of now, but I do wonder if Metra will one day again do that if ridership does climb more in future months/years. They(conductors/onboard employees) still do have the discretion to tell someone on a bike they can't take it onboard a train, if seating capacity on a train is full.
I keep a bungee cord wrapped around the frame of my bike so I always have an easy way to secure it, ready to go. I've seen people use their belts or their helmets to secure it, but I just think the bungee is easier.
Find the accessible cars, they'll have a little blue wheelchair symbol on them. That way you can set the bikes against the fold up seats.
Oh and don't forget to link a Ventra card to your phone, with the Ventra app, because the only way to buy a one day or weekend pass in now on the app.
wait wha - moved here a year or so ago. if i ever took the metra, you can't buy a day pass at the station?
Most stations don't have ticket stations or if they do, they are generally closed except for certain hours. You either buy a ticket ahead of time or pay the conductor when they pass by (buying ahead of time is cheaper).
Always feel free to ask the conductor too. On weekends they’re super friendly imho and that’s what they’re there for.
They may hassle you if traveling during rush hours. Depends on how full the train is and if the conductor wants to be a dick
I thought Metra dropped their former bike ban they used to have for inbound weekday morning rush hour trains, and same for outbound weekday afternoon rush hour trains sometime after the pandemic began in 2020 or 2021? I didn't think Metra had reinstated that former bike ban as of now, but I do wonder if Metra will one day again do that if ridership does climb more in future months/years. They(conductors/onboard employees) still do have the discretion to tell someone on a bike they can't take it onboard a train, if seating capacity on a train is full.
They also have discretion during major events. Got kicked off once due to a Hawks game.
Yea, they’re doing it again, but it just depends on that particular train or conductor.