Bike on a Train Honiton

[piccadilly]

Good Evening.

I am due to travel to Exeter tomorrow from Honiton to collect a bike.

Will I be allowed to bring the bike back from Exeter to Honiton on the train? - unfortunately ,at this stage, I am unable to specify which return train I want to catch.

Any help appreciated!

Kind Regards,

 

[bb21]

Yes, provided the train is not wedged.

 

[piccadilly]

Sorry “the train is not wedged”?

 

[bb21]

Yes, if the train is full to bursting then you may not be allowed to take a bike onboard and may have to wait for the next service.

 

[Mag_seven]

Sorry “the train is not wedged”?

"wedged" is railway enthusiast slang for "full and standing".

 

[A Challenge]

All trains between Exeter St Davids have mandatory cycle reservations, with the exceptions on a Sunday of the 2125, 2225 and 2313 from Exeter St Davids.

 

[bb21]

"wedged" is railway enthusiast slang for "full and standing".

Pretty standard normal everyday usage these days.

 

[piccadilly]

Pretty standard normal everyday usage these days.

Yes should have realised!

 

[AndrewE]

All trains between Exeter St Davids have mandatory cycle reservations, with the exceptions on a Sunday of the 2125, 2225 and 2313 from Exeter St Davids.

...so go to a station with your ticket and ask for a bike reservation for your train. (Or try social media/other electronic contact methods...)
I have never had a problem doing this (admittedly in NW England) but I can imagine that you might need to be flexible about your train.
I suppose you could even take some lights with you and ride it home! (Just being mischievous here!)

 

[piccadilly]

Can I make the cycle reservation just before I board the return train? or do I have to specify when I buy the tickets at Honiton?

 

[bb21]

Can I make the cycle reservation just before I board the return train? or do I have to specify when I buy the tickets at Honiton?

No, because the trains you want do not have reservable bike space.

Edit: Looks like policy changed, but not circulated to staff.

 

[A Challenge]

No, because the trains you want do not have reservable bike space.

Cycle reservations are required, though?

 

[embers25]

Cycle reservations are required as can be done in the station IME. However, as BB21 says unless the train is full the guard won't say anything and I've seen 8 bikes on before stashed everywhere. Not sure whether Exeter Central barrier staff will let you through without a reservation though as they aren't the best.

 

[kieron]

Cycle reservations are required, though?

I'm not completely sure what bb21 is trying to tell you here, but cycle reservations are provided for these trains. You should get two coupons for this, one of which you could leave with your bike. There isn't anything on board to say it should be there, like you have with seat reservations.

As you'll board the train at its origin, you should be able to get on before it gets too full.

 

[piccadilly]

Thanks - the train is rarely full on the Exeter to Honiton but I am concerned I won’t be let through the barriers at Exeter Central without a reservation.

Can I make the reservation when I arrive at Exeter Central for the return journey?

 

[Hugo3000]

Cycle reservations are required as can be done in the station IME. However, as BB21 says unless the train is full the guard won't say anything and I've seen 8 bikes on before stashed everywhere. Not sure whether Exeter Central barrier staff will let you through without a reservation though as they aren't the best.

Isn't it really annoying when staff do their jobs properly and enforce the rules as they have been trained to!?

 

[bb21]

Cycle reservations are required, though?

It seems they are indeed now marked on the timetable as such.

They better tell the guards that in that case.

 

[piccadilly]

All went well today.

Unable to make a reservation for the bike “need 24 hours notice” - but no problem at Exeter - train wasn’t full and the bike went straight on.

Thanks for your help

 

[Kilopylae]

Cycle reservations are required as can be done in the station IME. However, as BB21 says unless the train is full the guard won't say anything and I've seen 8 bikes on before stashed everywhere. Not sure whether Exeter Central barrier staff will let you through without a reservation though as they aren't the best.

Yeah. I'd cycle down to St David's tbh as they never give anyone any trouble at the gates and the platform for Honiton trains is flat with / just through the gateline so an easier boarding too

 

[piccadilly]

...so go to a station with your ticket and ask for a bike reservation for your train. (Or try social media/other electronic contact methods...)
I have never had a problem doing this (admittedly in NW England) but I can imagine that you might need to be flexible about your train.
I suppose you could even take some lights with you and ride it home! (Just being mischievous here!)

Yes I could ride it home but oh no I am extremely unfit!

Hopefully this will change this summer!

 

[embers25]

Isn't it really annoying when staff do their jobs properly and enforce the rules as they have been trained to!?

And as you saw further down this thread, he was let through without a reservation, so apparently not trained as consistently or as well as you think...Obviously they used common sense (as they should have), but unfortunately that is very hit and miss from the barrier staff at Central and certainly there is no consistency at all, which makes things very confusing for occasional travellers there.

 

[Haywain]

Unable to make a reservation for the bike “need 24 hours notice” - but no problem at Exeter - train wasn’t full and the bike went straight on.

Which is the point that @bb21 was trying to make upthread.