REGION: Bikes clog rush-hour Sprinter trains

District considers better markings for handicapped riders

By PAUL SISSON - Staff Writer | Monday, May 5, 2008 11:32 AM PDT ∞

NORTH COUNTY ---- In the end, it may be bikes that push the North County Transit District to add a second car to weekday Sprinter trains that are becoming increasingly crowded during afternoon commutes.

Take a ride between Oceanside and Escondido on any given afternoon between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and the back half of most Sprinter trains look like rolling bike shops.

On a west-bound train at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, bikes were stacked in a three-deep heap against a long row of fold-up seats. More bike riders stood in the aisles and doorways, holding handlebars as muttering passengers threaded their way through the mess.

"See all these people standing up?" asked regular Sprinter rider Chris Abenojar of Vista. "It's like this every day, they need to add another car like right now."

Transit district officials say they are aware of the problem, but are not yet ready to add a second Sprinter car during week-day service, which would double the number of seats available for passengers and also the amount of space to store bikes.

Abenojar, who stood with his own white mountain bike, said he sees the crush of two-wheeled cycles as proof that the North County Transit District should provide more space, at least in the afternoons.

But adding a second car means more cost for a transit agency that is looking at severe cutbacks to compensate for shortfalls in state subsidies that keep ticket prices affordable.

Karen King, the district's executive director, noted that the cost of diesel fuel --- which powers all Sprinter trains --- is continually on the rise.

Each Sprinter car contains two V-6 diesel engines, so doubling the number of cars also doubles the district's fuel costs. King said transit planners are working to find the point where a second car is necessary.

"We're tracking it very carefully so that we know when we have a critical mass that will require us to run two-car trains," King said.

Transit officials said they are not counting the number of Sprinter riders each day, but on April 4, the last day a count was conducted, 6,494 passengers rode the train. The transit district has said it would like to see the Sprinter carry 11,000 riders a day by this time next year.

Already, some passengers have said the bike jam on Sprinter trains has made things difficult for handicapped riders.

Since the Sprinter started running on March 9, the transit district has received some complaints from handicapped riders who use wheelchairs to get around, officials said. Some have complained that cyclists would not move their two-wheeled companions to make room for wheelchairs in the same fold-up seat sections where bikes park.

Sarah Benson, a spokeswoman for the district, said last week that plans are in the works to designate one side for bikes and the other for handicapped passengers.

"The plan is to make it very apparent that one side is for bikes and one side is for wheelchairs," Benson said.

Jason Hinkle of Escondido said he rolls his electric wheelchair onto the Sprinter almost every day during his commute to Cal State San Marcos. On Thursday, he tucked in behind a large black beach cruiser with little trouble.

Hinkle said he has not had too many problems fitting in with bike riders, who will generally move, if there is room to move, when they see him coming.

"I just ride right toward them, and right now I have no problem," he said.

But he added that he is worried about what will happen this fall when Cal State increases the cost of its parking pass to more than $300 per semester.

"Then we will have a lot more (students) riding," Hinkle said "If (transit officials) add another car, then that should help."

Contact staff writer Paul Sisson at (760) 901-4087 or psisson@nctimes.com.