Amtrak Makes It Easier To Bring Bikes Aboard Hiawatha Route

Amtrak officials said they’re making it easier to bring bicycles aboard its Hiawatha Service between Milwaukee and Chicago.

The rail service had been making passengers take apart their bike and put it in a carton. But now, passengers can roll their bike through the Chicago or Milwaukee station and lift it to a conductor, who will hang the bike in a modified rail car.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said the rail service is responding to customer demand.

“There’s been a lot of development certainly here in Chicago and in Milwaukee to create bike-friendly communities and each time we take a bike on the train, we’re taking a passenger, too,” he said.

Magliari said each Hiawatha train will have 15 bike racks available on a first-come, first-serve basis with reservations recommended. Amtrak will charge $5 per bicycle.

Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation support the bike program.