Amtrak is expanding the availability of bike service on the Crescent to provide passengers with a way to travel with their bicycles. The enhanced service is now available only at staffed stations that offer checked baggage.

The Amtrak Crescent (Trains 19 & 20) travels daily between New York City and New Orleans, with a stop in Atlanta.

Passengers will be able to hand their bikes to an Amtrak crew member, who will then hang the bike on a rack in the baggage car. The service is only available in staffed stations in New Orleans, Meridian, Miss., Tuscaloosa, Ala., Birmingham, Ala., Atlanta, Greenville, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., Greensboro, N.C., Lynchburg, Va., Charlottesville, Va., Alexandria, Va., Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Del., Philadelphia, Newark and New York City with advance reservation only.

Passengers checking their bikes must arrive at the station 45 minutes prior to the train departure to allow time to purchase a ticket, obtain a baggage tag, and transport the bike to the baggage car. Only standard bikes will be permitted. If equipped with large seat/saddle bags, handlebar bags or panniers, the items must be removed from the bike, consolidated, and checked or carried on the train.

Reservations are required and passengers must have a travel document (ticket) for their bikes. There is a $20 bike service fee. Passengers can reserve their bikes by selecting “add bike” when they book their train travel on Amtrak.com, by calling 800-USA-RAIL, or by visiting any staffed ticket office.

Amtrak stations with ticketing and baggage service that currently provide boxed bike service will continue to offer this service. Standard bike policy and charges apply on trains where applicable.

(Source: Amtrak)