Just wondering if anyone has taken a bike on the T during the morning rush hour. I'm commuting from Mt Lebo to Oakland at the moment and the T is crammed full in the morning when I get on at 7:15. I'm assuming I'd get some angry glares by taking up even more room w/ a bike but I'd love to cut out that connecting bus ride from downtown to Oakland and would really like to be on my bike. Anyone tried it yet?
I haven't in the morning, but on the way home I can find a spot without a problem as long as it isn't right at 5. Occasionally I've had to let one go by cause there wasn't enough room. Maybe you could go a little earlier (easier said than done I know) to avoid the rush.
Yeah, I've been loath to try taking my bike on the T during rush hour for the same reasons. I will note that I'm usually riding around 7:30-7:45 and there's usually plenty of room in the rear car for a bike.
Alternatively you could try minimizing the angry glares by reducing the amount of time on the T. You could ride down to South Hills Junction and get off at Station Square.
I'm planning to get off at Station Square and jump on the bike path to ride to Oakland. I'll just have to give it a shot and see how it goes I guess
Might as well cross the river and get off right on the trail.
Might be worth trying to get on at Poplar Station just down the street from you. Lots of people get on at the main Mt Lebo stop. If you can get on before them it might increase your chances. I think the farther down stream you try and get on the less chance you'll have of succeeding.
FWIW, PAT rules prohibit non-folding bikes from getting on or off at low-platform stops like Poplar. Getting a bike through the narrow door and up the steps could be tricky too. And you can't access the second car from a low-platform station.
Whoops! Forgot about that aspect of it. Thanks for the correction.
There's more room for bikes on the Blue Line. I have a folder but I still get on at Willow because it's less crowded. It was much easier when there was a fare booth attendant, though.
Also: PM me if you want a morning ride buddy. When it's not snowy or wet going over the hill is actually about the same amount of time and feels much more awesome.
Just an idea, but if the Red Line car's too crowded inbound, you could take one outbound to Overbrook Junction and then board a (presumably less crowded) Blue Line inbound. At rush hour it might add only 5-10 minutes to your total trip time, since the Blue Line is faster than the Red getting downtown.
