Fwd: compact folding bicycles
Paul DeMello
Paul
From: Paul DeMello <pdem...@alumni.utexas.net>
Date: Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Subject: Re: compact folding bicycles
To: "McKewen, Erica" <Erica....@capmetro.org>
Hi Erica,
Thanks so much for looking at this for me. Sorry it took so long for me to acknowledge your response; I've been in the midst of some family issues (now starting to clear up).
Is there any way that http://www.capmetro.org/riding/bikes.asp could be updated with this clarification? That way, I could print it out and show bus operators if they didn't believe me, and besides, it seems to be the right kind of info to put on that page.
I'm beyond appreciative...
Thanks again,
Paul
Hi, Paul.
Here is what I found out about folding bikes on our buses. Capital Metro’s policy on bikes does not specifically include folding bikes, and I believe that is why you heard different answers from us. In practice, however, Capital Metro DOES allow folding bikes onboard, in the same manner we allow people to bring suitcases and strollers onboard. That is, it must be kept out of the aisle for safety reasons. I can foresee some situations in which a driver might not let you board with your folding bike. For example, if it’s already standing room only on the bus. (But that applies to suitcases and strollers, too.)
I am sorry you received inconsistent answers from us, and I appreciate you continuing to contact us about this issue so that we can make sure everyone on staff has the correct information to ensure this won’t happen again.
Also, just reading down your email string below, to answer your other question, there’s no need to keep the bike in a duffle bag when you’re on the bus. ;)
Thanks,
Erica
From: pdem...@gmail.com [mailto:pdem...@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Paul DeMello
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 12:35 PM
To: McKewen, Erica
Subject: Re: compact folding bicycles
Erica that is so what I need... thanks!
PaulOn Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 12:08 PM, McKewen, Erica <Erica....@capmetro.org> wrote:
Wow I’m so sorry you have not gotten a consistent response from us about folding bikes! I am going to turn over every leaf here to find out the correct answer for you, and I’ll also make sure Customer Service and Operations (bus drivers) get that info, too. I’ll reply to you soon.
Thanks,
Erica
From: pdem...@gmail.com [mailto:pdem...@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Paul DeMello
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 11:37 AM
To: McKewen, Erica
Subject: Fwd: compact folding bicycles
Hi Erica,
I recently posted a question on the capmetro blog about folding bikes... whether they're allowed on buses. Thanks for your recent response on that.
Actually the same day I posted that question, I asked capmetro customer service via email. As you'll see below, Valerie Rivera told me No at first.... then she said it was ok if the bike was in a bag. (I don't have a bike bag)
Also... a few times I tried to board a bus (338 and 5) and I've only gotten resistance from drivers. The 338 driver absolutely did not let me board with the bike folded; he even called someone at capmetro and that someone said it was not allowed. The 5 driver reluctantly let me board, but he said it wasn't allowed and just let me board because he was late. He was friendly though, and he told me that if I really wanted to get somewhere with the drivers, it might be a good idea to go to the capmetro office and get something in writing that I could show drivers saying that folding bikes are ok.
Anyway, I'm not trying to put anyone on the spot... I'm just trying to figure out how to get the most use out of my folding bike. :) Any thoughts on what I, or anyone else, can do in order to make it clear to drivers that folding bikes are ok?
Thanks,
Paul DeMello---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Customer Service <Customer...@capmetro.org>
Date: Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Subject: RE: compact folding bicycles
To: Paul DeMello <pdem...@alumni.utexas.net>As long as it’s in the duffle bag and out of the aisle so other passengers can’t trip over it, then it should not be a problem.
Thanks,
Valerie RiveraCustomer Relations
From: pdem...@gmail.com [mailto:pdem...@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Paul DeMello
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 10:09 AM
To: Customer Service
Subject: Re: compact folding bicycles
Thank you for your response.
If I have a folding bike inside of a dufflebag, is that acceptable?
Thanks,
Paul DeMelloOn Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 9:38 AM, Customer Service <Customer...@capmetro.org> wrote:
Dear Mr. Paul DeMello,
Thank you for contacting Capital Metro. Unfortunately no bikes, including ones that are folded are allowed inside the bus. Please accept our apology for the inconvenience this may cause you.
Once again, thank you for contacting Capital Metro. Please feel free to contact us in the future if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding our service. You may reach our Customer Relations Department at 512-385-0190 or via our web site at www.capmetro.org.
Thank you,
Valerie Rivera
Customer Relations
From: pdem...@gmail.com [mailto:pdem...@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Paul DeMello
Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 6:24 PM
To: Customer Service
Subject: compact folding bicycles
Hi,
What is the official policy for allowing compact folding bicycles on Capital Metro buses (when they are in a folded state)?
Thank you,
Paul DeMello
Alonso Á. de Araya
that folding bikes were accepted on CapMetro buses.
On Nov 18, 12:22 pm, Paul DeMello <pdeme...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi... first post for me. Here's a conversation I had with Capital Metro,
> mostly with Erica McKewen, concerning the rules for folding bikes inside the
> bus (on which drivers clearly have had inconsistent policies)...
>
> Paul
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Paul DeMello <pdeme...@alumni.utexas.net>
> Date: Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 12:13 PM
> Subject: Re: compact folding bicycles
> To: "McKewen, Erica" <Erica.McKe...@capmetro.org>
>
> Hi Erica,
>
> Thanks so much for looking at this for me. Sorry it took so long for me to
> acknowledge your response; I've been in the midst of some family issues (now
> starting to clear up).
>
> bus operators if they didn't believe me, and besides, it seems to be the
> right kind of info to put on that page.
>
> I'm beyond appreciative...
>
> Thanks again,
> Paul
>
> On Tue, Sep 1, 2009 at 3:28 PM, McKewen, Erica
> > Hi, Paul.
>
> > Here is what I found out about folding bikes on our buses. Capital Metro’s
> > policy on bikes does not specifically include folding bikes, and I believe
> > that is why you heard different answers from us. In practice, however,
> > Capital Metro DOES allow folding bikes onboard, in the same manner we allow
> > people to bring suitcases and strollers onboard. That is, it must be kept
> > out of the aisle for safety reasons. I can foresee some situations in which
> > a driver might not let you board with your folding bike. For example, if
> > it’s already standing room only on the bus. (But that applies to suitcases
> > and strollers, too.)
>
> > I am sorry you received inconsistent answers from us, and I appreciate you
> > continuing to contact us about this issue so that we can make sure everyone
> > on staff has the correct information to ensure this won’t happen again.
>
> > Also, just reading down your email string below, to answer your other
> > question, there’s no need to keep the bike in a duffle bag when you’re on
> > the bus. ;)
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Erica
>
>
> > *From:* pdeme...@gmail.com [mailto:pdeme...@gmail.com] *On Behalf Of *Paul
> > DeMello
> > *Sent:* Tuesday, August 25, 2009 12:35 PM
> > *To:* McKewen, Erica
>
> > *Subject:* Re: compact folding bicycles
> > Erica that is so what I need... thanks!
>
> > Paul
>
> > On Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 12:08 PM, McKewen, Erica <
> > Erica.McKe...@capmetro.org> wrote:
>
> > Wow I’m so sorry you have not gotten a consistent response from us about
> > folding bikes! I am going to turn over every leaf here to find out the
> > correct answer for you, and I’ll also make sure Customer Service and
> > Operations (bus drivers) get that info, too. I’ll reply to you soon.
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Erica
>
>
> > *From:* pdeme...@gmail.com [mailto:pdeme...@gmail.com] *On Behalf Of *Paul
> > DeMello
> > *Sent:* Tuesday, August 25, 2009 11:37 AM
> > *To:* McKewen, Erica
> > *Subject:* Fwd: compact folding bicycles
>
> > *From:* pdeme...@gmail.com [mailto:pdeme...@gmail.com] *On Behalf Of *Paul
> > DeMello
> > *Sent:* Thursday, August 06, 2009 10:09 AM
> > *To:* Customer Service
> > *Subject:* Re: compact folding bicycles
> > Thank you for your response.
>
> > If I have a folding bike inside of a dufflebag, is that acceptable?
>
> > Thanks,
> > Paul DeMello
>
> > On Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 9:38 AM, Customer Service <
> > Customer.Serv...@capmetro.org> wrote:
>
> > Dear Mr. Paul DeMello,
>
> > Thank you for contacting Capital Metro. Unfortunately no bikes, including
> > ones that are folded are allowed inside the bus. Please accept our apology
> > for the inconvenience this may cause you.
>
> > Once again, thank you for contacting Capital Metro. Please feel free to
> > contact us in the future if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions
> > regarding our service. You may reach our Customer Relations Department at
> > 512-385-0190 or via our web site atwww.capmetro.org.
>
> > Thank you,
>
> > Valerie Rivera
>
> > Customer Relations
>
>
> > *From:* pdeme...@gmail.com [mailto:pdeme...@gmail.com] *On Behalf Of *Paul
> > DeMello
> > *Sent:* Wednesday, August 05, 2009 6:24 PM
> > *To:* Customer Service
> > *Subject:* compact folding bicycles
Dave Sullivan
>I cannot attend, but having John-Michael Cortez and the CoA Bike
>program folks in the same room provides a good opportunity to ask
>about finishing the connection of the LAB from Sabine to IH35 east
>of the rail station.
David W. Sullivan, Ph.D.
The University of Texas at Austin
Center for Energy & Environmental Resources
10100 Burnet Rd, Bldg. 133, MC R7100
Austin, TX 78758-4445
phone: (512) 471-7805
cell: (512) 914-4710