This is valid for both Connex and V/Line.

Text of V/Line bulletin: Information Alert – Needs your attention – Bicycle Ban Update (23 January)

1. Click here for bulletin pdf

As you may have read in the press, the Government has announced a review of the bike ban policy affecting peak trains from 1 January.

V/Line has committed to being a part of this review and will be working with cycling groups, customers, Connex and the Government to develop a commonsense approach that will allow us to maximise travel opportunities for everyone, while still safely and efficiently transporting large numbers of people during peak periods.

There will obviously be a range of views and operational issues that will need to be considered as part of this review and staff are encouraged to raise any suggestions with line management to feed into the review process.

During this review period we ask conductors and station staff to not enforce the bike ban. Bikes should continue to be managed in the same way as last year, which was to accept bikes on peak and off peak trains if there is capacity and it is safe.

We will keep you up to date with any developments, but in the meantime encourage any staff with questions to please speak with Regional or Area Services Managers.

ACTING Premier Rob Hulls has defended the controversial move to ban bikes on V-Line trains during peak periods.

“The decision that was made in relation to bikes on peak services is all about passenger comfort and ensuring that people can travel on trains in comfort during peak hours,” Mr Hulls said.

“There has been no decision made about rescinding that decision.

“The fact is that passengers on trains want to be able to travel in comfort.["]

(Herald Sun, 08-01-2008)

I’m pretty sure more than wanting to be able to travel in comfort, passengers — all passengers, including cyclists — want to be able to travel, period.

There are two major problems with Hulls’ statements. The first is that he was making them in relation to the V/Line bans. This is despite the fact that V/Line trains have dedicated storage areas for bikes and therefore no person ever loses a seat on a V/Line train due to a bike.

This is a quote from an Age article a couple of days ago:

A spokesman for V/Line said the ban for country users during peak times was regrettable, but the high number of passengers taking their bike on packed trains during rush hours was becoming a problem.

Well guess what? There is a really easy way of solving that. Introduce a bike booking system. There is still no booking system for those who want to take their bikes on V/Line trains.

Is that rocket science or what?

Have a look:

© Geoffmo (thankyou!)

Here is another one.

Wow, do you notice how the bikes are not anywhere near where people actually sit?

Rob Hulls’ claim that the V/Line ban is about passenger comfort is a blatant lie. Removing these bikes would clearly create no new passenger space whatsoever. Hulls should retract his claim and explain the real reason that he thinks it’s acceptable for a public transport decision to force people to either get a new job or buy a car. This ban is shameful and unacceptable for a Government that preaches sustainaibility yet cannot even properly maintain a public transport system that people want to use!

CYCLISTS facing a ban on taking bikes on peak-hour regional trains have won a short reprieve from V/Line.[..] [Y]esterday V/Line said it would not enforce the rule until February 1.

The operator might also ask Ms Kosky to reverse the ban, “but ultimately it’s up to the Public Transport Minister to decide,” V/Line spokesman Daniel Moloney said.

The ban became public on New Year’s Eve — the day before the new rules came into place. Many city and regional commuters who take their bikes on trains have been infuriated by the ban, some saying it is an attempt to shift the blame for an inadequate transport system from the State Government onto cyclists.
[...]
The ban on bikes on V/Line services during rush hour comes despite the trains having special bike spaces. The V’Locity trains have space for a small number of bicycles, while its 32 locomotives have a special luggage carriage, with ample room for cycles.

(Article link)

This is good news for a couple of reasons.

1. No one is denied transport (…just yet).
2. We can put pressure on both V/Line and Lynne Kosky by writing, emailing, phoning, talking, campaigning and protesting to let them know that this is not acceptable.

“Lynne Kosky – the only Public Transport Minister ever to force people to buy cars?”