MTA Metro-North Railroad Bicycle Permit

MTA Metro-North Railroad
Bike Permit Regulations

1. Definitions

a. Bicycle. A single-seat, human powered, two wheeled vehicle with a wheel diameter not in excess of 27 inches. The term bicycle shall not include mopeds, mini-bikes, motorbikes or motor scooters.

b. MTA Metro-North Railroad, Metro-North, Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company.

2. Application for a Bicycle Access Permit

An application for a bicycle permit under this part shall be made to:
Customer Service Department
MTA Metro-North Railroad
420 Lexington Ave, 9th Floor
New York, New York 10017
or in person at any ticket window. A bicycle permit shall be issued by Metro-North upon the completion of the application and payment of any fee requested to cover administration expenses. Permits are issued immediately at all staffed ticket windows.

3. Conditions on use of Bicycle Access Permit

Customers who wish to bring their bicycles onto Metro-North trains shall display a valid permit. Permit holders shall be governed by the following conditions.

a. Weekdays

i. Outbound from Grand Central Terminal

Bicycles will not be permitted on trains scheduled to depart from Grand Central Terminal between 7 AM and 9 AM, 3:01 PM and 8:15 and connecting trains. On the Friday after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, bicycles will not be permitted on trains scheduled to depart from Grand Central Terminal between 7 AM and 12 Noon and 3 PM and 8:30 PM and connecting trains.

ii. Inbound to Grand Central Terminal

Bicycles will not be permitted on trains scheduled to arrive in Grand Central Terminal between 5 AM and 10 AM, 4 PM and 8 PM, and connecting trains. On the Friday after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day bicycles will not be permitted on trains scheduled to arrive in Grand Central Terminal between 5:00 AM and 12 noon, 4 PM and 8:00 PM, and connecting trains.

b. Holidays and Holiday Eves

No bicycles will be carried on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day. Eve of Rosh Hashanah, Eve of Yom Kippur, Eve of Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. In addition, no bicycles will be permitted on trains scheduled to depart Grand Central Terminal between 12 noon and 8:30 PM on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, the day or weekend before Independence Day, and the Friday before Labor day Weekend, including connecting trains.

c. Additional Restriction

Metro-North reserves the right to designate additional trains where bicycles will not be permitted. In addition, train crews may bar bicycles from trains if the bicycles cannot be carried because of conditions which interfere with the safety and comfort of other customers, including occasions of heavy ridership or equipment shortages. Consequently, the carriage of bicycles on a given train or for a continuous journey on connecting trains cannot be guaranteed.

d. Occupancy Limitations i. On weekdays two (2) bicycles will be permitted per car with a maximum of four (4) bicycles per train. Bicycles shall be placed in the two rear cars of inbound trains or the two front cars of outbound trains unless otherwise directed by train crew. Groups of more than four (4) bicyclists traveling together must make advance arrangements with Metro-North for carriage.

ii. On weekends the maximum number of bicycles permitted on trains is eight (8). In addition, on weekends certain trains are designated as "Bicycle Trains" and noted in the timetable with a bicycle symbol, these trains may carry more than the permitted number of bicycles. e. Bicycle storage

Bicycles will be secured in areas designated by the train crew. Bicycle will remain in the custody of the bicyclists, who will be responsible for their safe keeping and will secure the bicycles so that they do not pose a hazard to other customers.

f. Bicyclists must obey the following rules:

i. Bicycle riding on platforms or in other station areas is prohibited.

ii. Bicycles are not to be taken on escalators.

iii. All protruding objects or sharp edges must be removed from bicycles.

iv. Bicyclists must stay with their bicycles and move them, if necessary, to permit mobility of other customers.

v. Bicyclists may board trains only after all other customers have boarded.

vi. Bicyclist will comply with instructions from train crew members, Metro-North supervisors, and police.

g. Permits Revocation

The issuance of a bicycle permit by Metro-North is a public service to allow bicyclists the use of Metro-North transportation services. Failure to comply with the regulations will result in the revocation of the permit.

h. Liability

A permit holder will assume all liability for any damage or injury to persons or property resulting from or in connection with the carriage of the permit holder's bicycle on Metro-North trains, or at or near any facility used in connection with Metro-North rail services.

i. For west of Hudson service New Jersey Transit (NJT), permit rules apply and a separate NJT permit is required.

Long Island Rail Road

Bicycle Permit Regulations

1. Bicycle Permits are available at Penn Station and through the mail at:

MTA-LIRR
Cyc-n-ride
LIRR
Jamaica, New York 11435

a. Each bike needs a permit. An individual cyclist can not take more than one (1) bicycle on a train at a time.

b. In Stations

i. No Riding on platforms at any time.

ii. No Bikes on Escalators.

iii. Bikes should be secured on storage racks where provided only. Use of poles, fences, railings, etc is prohibited and may result in removal of bike. c. Bicycle Types

i. Only single rider bicycles are permitted.

ii. No tandem, motorized, or three wheeled bikes are permitted.

iii. Maximum bicycle dimensions are 80" long x 48" high.

iv. Bikes must be kept clean and free of excessive dirt and grease at all times. Cyclist is responsible for keeping the train seat were bike is stored clean. Cyclist must have a suitable elastic cord to secure the bike on the train. Bikes must have no protrusions which could cause injury or damage.

v. Collapsible bicycles do not need a permit, but must be folded while boarding, exiting, and being stored on a train.

d. Emergency Situations

i. In case of an emergency, cyclist must follow the directive of the train crew, authorized personnel, police, local authorities and / or fire officials. If an emergency should occur, cyclists may be required to leave their bicycles on board.

ii. Bicycles will not be permitted on buses if substitute bus service is provided.

e. Liability

i. This Bicycle Permit is non-transferable and must be displayed or surrendered upon demand. Permittee releases the LIRR from any liability or injury, death or damages arising in connection with the use of this Permit. Permittee agrees to be solely responsible for any injury, death or damages arising as a result of the use of this Permit.

f. Weekend Bike Trains - Certain trains are designated as "bicycle trains" and may carry more than the permitted number of bicycles on the following branches. (The specific train numbers and times will be part of the published timetables.)

i. Port Jefferson

ii. Montauk - except Seasonal Trains between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

iii. Babylon (Local) - Seasonal Trains between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

iv. Greenport

v. Oyster Bay

2. Times & Days Bikes not allowed on Trains: Times refer to arrivals / departures at Western Terminals

a. Weekdays

(1) Weekday Morning Rush Hours - 6am - 10am (Westbound Arrivals)

(2) Weekday Evening Rush Hours 3pm - 8pm ( Eastbound Departures)

b. Weekends:

(1) Saturdays:

7am - 10am Westbound arrivals

4pm - 6pm Eastbound departures

(2) Sundays:

5pm - 8pm Westbound arrivals

10pm - Midnight Eastbound departures

c. Seasonal:

(1) Sundays Montauk Westbound arrivals 6pm -10pm

(2) Fridays Montauk Eastbound departures 3pm - 9pm

(3) Saturdays Montauk Eastbound and Westbound

d. Days not allowed

i. New Years Eve, New Years Day, St. Patrick's Day, Mothers Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day and the Friday before, Independence Day and the Friday before, Eve of Rosh Hashanah, Eve of Yom Kippur, Labor Day and the Friday before, Columbus Day, Eve of Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.

3. On board storage of Bicycles

a. Up to two (2) bicycles may be stored in the ADA area on the diesel fleet, with preference given to wheel chair customers.

b. On board storage of bicycles on the existing MU's. Storage, limited to two (2) per car, would be between the 3 seater rows in the car.

c. In order to maintain an obstruction free aisle, permit holder must have a bungee cord or hook to secure the bicycle.

d. The number of bicycles allowed on trains:

i. On weekdays four (4) bicycles will be allowed, with two (2) in the east car and (2) two in the west car.

ii. On weekends one (1) bicycle will be allowed per car with, with a maximum of eight (8) per train, excluding the designated bicycle trains.