Cross Country cycle carriage

The issue

At present the Voyager trains operated by Cross Country, which provide most of the long-distance train services through Cheltenham, can carry 4 cycles in a separate bike area at one end of the train, out of the way of other passengers.

However, in order to add a few extra seats, Cross Country intends this autumn to modify the trains by stripping out the buffet and replacing it with a refreshment trolley. To make room for a second catering area to service the trolley (there is already one at the first class end), the present bike area is to go, to be replaced by small 'cupboards' to hold only 2 cycles in the centre of the train. In preparation for these changes, Cross Country is already restricting cycle reservations to only two per train, leaving valuable existing bike space unused.

The new arrangements will be unsuitable from many points of view. The new 'cupboards' appear to be too small for larger bikes. Even if a bike will fit in, all luggage will have to be removed first. In the middle of the train, this has the potential for conflict between cyclists loading and unloading their bikes and other passengers moving through. Circulating space is already at a premium in these trains.

At present the Voyagers are some of the few trains where a family, using 3 or 4 bikes, can travel together. Cross Country's plans will effectively bar cycling families, leaving them with no choice but to travel by car, or not to travel at all.

Cross Country's plans have no flexibility. If a train is nearly empty of passengers, it will be able to take no more bikes (and therefore no additional passengers) than if it were full. It is reported that under Cross Country, staff have less discretion than was the case when Virgin operated the service. There is also concern that Cross Country's plans for a trolley service may not be in the interests of passengers generally, for when the trains are crowded (which is frequently the case), a trolley may not be able to move through the train.

Progress to date

The national cycling organisations are calling upon cyclists to write to Cross County to protest about the changes they are intending to make. They also urge cyclists to write to the rail minister, Tom Harris, through their MP. In Cheltenham, Martin Horwood MP has already agreed to take this issue up.

How you can help

Please use the form below to send an e-mail to Cross Country in support of retaining adequate space for at least 4 cycles on Voyager trains. A default message is presented, but feel free to modify or expand on this as you wish.

A copy of the message will go to Rail Minister, Tom Harris. In addition, copies will be sent to yourself and Cheltenham Cycle Campaign.

Cheltenham Cycle Campaign would be pleased to hear about any reply you receive.

Your name
Your e-mail address
To	Cross Country Trains
Cc	Tom Harris MP
Subject	Cycle carriage on Voyager trains
Message	I am very disappointed about Cross Country's plans to remove the existing bicycle space on its Voyager trains and to restrict reservations to 2 cycles per train in the interim. The plans will make it impossible for families to travel together by train with cycles and will much reduce the capacity of the railway system for long distance cycle carriage. The changes are inconsistent with Government policies on climate change and encouraging cycling and also contrary to recent decisions by the European Parliament that train operators should improve facilities to carry cycles. Many people would rather travel by train than car, and cycles and trains should be compatible modes to facilitate this. I urge Cross Country to work with the national cycling organisations to overcome these problems.
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