In an attempt to try and provide an integrated service for it’s passengers, customers, South West Trains are currently trialling a scheme for Gold Card season ticket holders to ‘rent’ a Brompton folding bicycle for 3 months in exchange for a £100 deposit.
Available in a South West Trains colourway with South West Trains branding and Zéfal pump, this looks like a good deal.
I received a letter yesterday inviting me to join the scheme, but I already have a folding bike (A Dahon Speed Pro should you ask), so I’m not going to, but I encourage you to do so if you are a card holder. this is a progressive idea and needs to be successful as a pilot.
After lambasting South West Trains on a regular basis for failing to get me to work in a ‘friction free’ way, I applaud this scheme. It’s probably an idea that was brought to SWT by Brompton, but it’s encouraging to see.
It’s as yet unclear what the scheme will be if the pilot is a success, but I guess it’ll be provided for a small fee.
I ‘m glad that they are encouraging people to take bikes onto the trains as it always confused me why they didn’t consider cycle transport when the trains were designed in the first place.
Anyone who has travelled into London with a bike will know the ’second class citizen’ feeling you get when you take a bike onto a crowded train. People don’t like it. They fail to see that you’re doing a good thing, that you’ve spent you’re own money on trying to alleviate the congestion on our capital’s public transport.
I like to write about our cycling problem and I think that people who cycle rock.
And London os such a terrible city to cycle in.
Also read: London is definitely NOT a cycling city and Cycling in London
I want to do this. Sounds brilliant.
I remember being able to put my actual proper bike in the guard’s van. Those were the days. *sigh*
Have gold card. Want bicycle. Where do I sign up?