Frequently Asked Questions

To answer that, Caltrain looks to guidance provided by the federal Department of Transportation.

The Department of Transportation Americans with Disabilities Act regulation 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 37.167(j) requires transit operators to request that riders move to allow an individual with a disability to sit in priority seating and requires the posting of signs identifying priority seats, also stating that able-bodied riders should make seats available to passengers with disabilities. The regulation then goes on to relieve operators of any requirement to force riders who say "no" to moving.

Consistent with 49 CFR section 37.167, Caltrain doesn’t require people sitting in priority seats to move to accommodate individuals with disabilities - who are a protected class. So, to require such movement from non-bike users to accommodate bike riders would be inconsistent, essentially placing the rights of bike riders on a higher level than the rights of people with disabilities.

The rolling stock is not technically designed to be coupled and uncoupled frequently. Also, varying train lengths would make service less reliable for both bike riders and non-bike customers. All customers are entitled to know what they can expect in terms of capacity and bike service when a train arrives at the station at its scheduled time.

• Have feedback about your bike or scooter experience on Caltrain? Whether you experienced a bike capacity issue, have a suggestion, compliment, or concern, please use the Caltrain Feedback Form. 
• When submitting your feedback: 
  • Under Feedback Category, select Bike & Scooter from the available list. 
  • Click the ► (right arrow) to move it into the Chosen box. 
  • Complete the remaining fields and submit your feedback. 
• Your feedback helps us improve the rider experience and supports future planning for bike and scooter accommodations.