Amtrak allows bicycles on board the Vermonter

Amtrak has launched a service on the Vermonter route to allow passengers to bring their bicycles on board.

Effective yesterday, the service was developed with the cooperation of the Vermont Agency of Transportation, Vermont Department of Tourism, Adventure Cycling Association, and other bicycle and passenger rail groups that joined to form an advisory bicycle task force to oversee the project, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

The new project is the second for the Amtrak Bicycle Task Force, said Virginia Sullivan, a task force member and director of the Adventure Cycling Association.

"Locals and visitors will be able to take advantage of the excellent cycling opportunities all along the Vermonter corridor," said Sullivan. "This service will be a major benefit and will make trips with a bicycle easier."

The Vermonter service operates daily between Washington D.C. and St. Albans, Vt., with service to Philadelphia; New York City; Hartford, Conn.; Springfield, Mass.; and Essex Junction, Vt.

Passengers traveling with their bicycles must arrive at the station 30 minutes before the train's departure to allow time for boarding. Riders should look for the "Bike-Friendly" sticker on the train car. Bicycles will be stored in the luggage compartment, which converts to a bike rack.

Reservations are required to bring a bicycle on the train. The fee is $20 for service between Washington D.C., and New Haven, Conn., and $10 for service between New Haven and St. Albans.