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Dikes on Bikes, eh Captain!So a few days ago I’m riding Caltrain home and I’m in the bike car (because I ride my bike to work) and it’s pretty full; the old 5:19 always is. Anyway, I’m deep into my book when I begin to hear two people arguing. I look up and a bike commuter is arguing with the conductor. (You see, Caltrain only allows four bikes per rack, and there are only six racks; so only 24 bikes can fit on a train. And if there are already 24 bikes on the train, they don’t let any more bikes on. You have to wait for the next train; which could take 30 minutes or more.) The bike commuter claimed that there were less than 24 bikes and he rightfully should be allowed on, but the conductor said there were 24 and he had to get off. But the bike commuter said, “No I don’t, and I’m not!” And he walked to back of the car. About a minute later the conductor comes back and asks him where he’s going. The biker says 4th and King (the last stop). Then I see the conductor on his radio. You see, anytime someone on the train causes any trouble, they just radio ahead and have the cops meet them at a stop. Now I don’t think you actually get arrested, but who knows. Luckily, one of the other bikers told the guy to get off at 22nd street (one stop before 4th & King). So the guy gets off at 22nd Street, exchanges a few unpleasantries with the Conductor, and rides away. We finally get to the end and sure enough, two boys in blue are there waiting. Ha! No donut! After I got home I felt compelled to write a complaint to Caltrain about their stupid 4 bikes to a rack only rule, and why they don’t just put in a few more. This was the reply: “To: “Cassius Clay” Mr. Clay: Thank you for your comments concerning bicycle capacity on Caltrain. Astrid Lindell Now after reading that, I just wasn’t satisfied, so I wrote back: ”That is a total B.S. response. Four bikes are okay but five is "decidedly unsafe"? Says who? Was there some $25,000 study on the safety of the bike racks and it was determined that 4 is perfectly safe but five, oh no, five is "decidedly unsafe"? How does one more bike on a rack make it "decidedly unsafe"? Give me a break. What about people with their luggage? How is that any different? I find it ironic that at a time when Caltrain is claiming ridership is down and they are closing stations (Atherton) that they turn away a contingent of their most loyal customers. Oh, and here's another bit of info for you. It cost me $10.50 a day to take the train, that's $52.50 a week. BUT IF I DRIVE, it only cost me roughly $33 in gas a week, and I get there 20 minutes quicker! MAYBE if it were actually CHEAPER to take the train than it is to drive, more people would ride the train in the first place!” Now I figured that that was that, but she replied; To: “Cassius Clay” "Thank you for your comments. The bike racks on board Caltrain are only intended to hold four bikes each. I don't quite understand the comparison you are making with luggage... FYI - Caltrain's ridership is up by 29% - please see I am assuming that you are comparing the cost of a day pass ($10.50 for three zones) with your gas cost. However, if you instead purchased a monthly pass for $139.25, your daily cost would be considerably lower - $6.32 per day during a typical month consisting of 22 working days. This adds up to $31.60 per week - a bit less than you gas cost, but then you did not include car insurance or wear and tear on your car in your calculation." Astrid Lindell
From: “Cassius Clay” “I don't quite understand how you get $6.32 per day with a monthly pass. There are 52 weeks in a year and 5 midweek days per week. That equals 260 "potential" days to ride the train. However, most people get 14 days vacation and 11 paid holidays. That's 25 lost days right there. Now throw in about 5 sick days per year. And for sake of argument, let's assume that at least one day a weak there is some sort of errand, nightclass, social function, etc. that will require actually driving to work (50 days per year). So now we must subtract these 80 days from the 260. That equals 180 days a year to ride the train. 180 divided by 12 leaves exactly 15 "rideable" days a month. And $139.25 divided by 15 equals $9.28 per day, which is nearly as much as the $10.50 for the day pass! Now as for car insurance; well, if you own a car you pay insurance, no matter how little you use the car anyway. So that is a moot point. But wear and tear is legitimate cost. However, I'm willing to say that the "convenience" of driving offsets the cost of wear and tear. Now, if we assume $2.40 a gallon for gas, and a round trip of 70 miles in car that averages 25 miles per gallon we get $6.72 per day. So in the end, even if a person has a monthly pass, it's still cheaper to drive than to take the train. And in my case the difference is $38.40 a month (assuming 15 rideable days in a month). But it is nice to be able and read or just "veg out" on the train. -Cassius
"Thank you for your comments. Astrid Lindell"
Posted by Cid on January 11, 2006
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