no bikes on amtrak

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kwog from Fort Madison IA on 4/21/2010 2:39:13 PM:

I just called Amtrak today to speak with some customer service person. When she was done interrupting me multiple times she told me "you can't bring bikes on the train". This was my plan for getting to St Louis. I have seen ride reports here that talked about riding on the train with bikes, what is the story? Were these trips just across St Louis on a metro? I am now talking to the rental car place but they charge a $90.00 one-way fee plus the actual rental. Thats about $200.00 buck just to get me back and forth? Can someone confirm the no bikes thing and is there a cheap solution I am not seeing?

On the positive side this website is inspiring and helpful, I am looking forward to my memorial day weekend on the Katy.

Thanks in advance,

Kwog

Trek on 4/21/2010 3:21:08 PM:

Bikes are allowed on the Missouri River Runner, which runs across the state paralleling the Katy. Search "bikes" on amtrak dot com for details.

Not all routes allow roll on bikes though, which may prevent you from taking your bike unless its taken as luggage from Fort Madison to St. Louis.

Two wheels now on 4/21/2010 6:04:56 PM:

Go onto the amtrak website and try to buy a ticket on the Missouri line for a give date etc. On there will be an option if you want to include a bike for $10 freight fee. This will tell you whether bikes are allowed on a given route or not.

I can't believe you are overreacting like this calling rental car companies etc. If you don't know how to use the internet, then find a young person and they will do it for you.

kwog on 4/21/2010 6:36:34 PM:

I know how to use the internet. I was looking for advice from someone
who has been in my situation before since my customer service
experience was less than satisfactory. The customer service
representative did not even know what town I was talking about.

I would like a response from someone is not a rude jackass who assumes
I'm an old and can't use the internet. I would like to spit more
venom at two wheels but I thought this was a helpful and friendly
place so I will stop now.

Arkie on 4/21/2010 8:36:42 PM:

Sorry Kwog. Don't know about your characterization of your "helper" but you got the last three letters of the name correct. Don't let a moron run you away from an excellent source of information and access to a lot of people who wish you and others to have a safe and fun adventure on the Katy.

Ray (webmaster) on 4/22/2010 10:52:01 AM:

Kwog, sorry you were treated badly here and from Amtrak. As Trek indicated, you most definitely can take your bike on the Amtrak line that crosses Missouri. But most of their other lines do not allow bikes, so if you were trying to first take Amtrak from Iowa to MO, and then across the state, then you're out of luck on that first leg of your trip. You probably just got a clueless customer service rep, and need to try calling Amtrak again and hope the phone bank randomly assigns you to someone who actually knows what they're talking about. If the whole train deal does not work for you, I would suggest a shuttle service rather than a rental car. Good luck, and enjoy your visit to MO!

Trek on 4/22/2010 10:52:48 AM:

I'm with Arkie. Give us a chance here as there are many who offer advice based on the experience of many, many trips on the Katy.

And as always.....there are a few that, for some reason, would rather assume, pitch a fit, complain, or try to make others look ignorant.

Kwog on 4/23/2010 9:38:37 AM:

Amtrak got back to me by email today. They made it sound like it would have been ok if there wasn't a bus connection on my route between stations. I have decided to bite the bullet and drive my truck the whole way.
Thanks for your input everyone, and don't think that one rude person has changed my impression of the people on this site or the site itself.

Doug from Bluffton on 4/23/2010 11:23:27 AM:

Glad to hear that Kwog. Remember, "You can't build yourself up by putting other people down." And as you can tell from the other responses everyone else can tell ignorance too. Hope you enjoy your visit to The Katy Trail.

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