Seems to me that there could be issues with the driver and Van Galder as well. If, for example, he was caught not following corporate guidelines in the past, he probably will go out of the way not to be caught again. On the other hand, you may have gotten used to drivers who are a little more (or too?) casual with the rules. The question is, would you rather be riding with a strict by the book driver or a driver who's casual with the rules? Maybe that depends on what kind of cyclist rides with the driver. Ethical point to ponder at my time of day. Say goodnight, Darryl
--- On Mon, 11/2/09, Aaron Crandall <[email protected]> wrote: From: Aaron Crandall <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Bikies] Folding Bikes & Bus Travel To: "Darryl Jordan" <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] Date: Monday, November 2, 2009, 8:23 AM Hey Darryl, Here's their policy: "Up to two bags and one carry-on per person will be transported at owners risk. Additional bags or boxes will be charged at $5.00 each. Each bicycle will be charged at $5.00 boxed, or $10.00 unboxed." Yes & no to the issue w/the driver. Yes, this driver has caused me problems in the past & most drivers have not bothered me about the bike. However, he technically was following the current policies of Van Galder by asking me to pay. The grievance would be against Van Galder because they had sent me the email stating that the fee would be waived & they refused to recognize that arrangement. Aaron From: Darryl Jordan <[email protected]> To: Aaron Crandall <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] Sent: Mon, November 2, 2009 6:10:38 AM Subject: Re: [Bikies] Folding Bikes & Bus Travel Aaron; On face value, we would assume, probably correctly that you had an issue with the driver, or, more precisely, the driver had an issue with your bike and/or you. If that is the issue then you have a case against the driver. Does the bus company (or any public or commercial transportation company) have posted or printed material available for public viewing company policies directly related to handling bicycles? If not, then it's up to the driver's discretion. If it is posted, then you have a clear case. Darryl --- On Sun, 11/1/09, Aaron Crandall <[email protected]> wrote: From: Aaron Crandall <[email protected]> Subject: [Bikies] Folding Bikes & Bus Travel To: "bikies" <[email protected]> Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 3:18 PM Hello, I'm writing 'cuz I'm pissed at Van Galder because of their policy on bicycles & my frustration of that policy being enforced on my Dahon folding bike. Here's a message I got back in Feb 2007 from Van Galder: "Aaron Crandall has the permission of Steve Van Galder to travel with Van Galder Bus Company with no additional charges for his bike. The bike must be folded and in the case for the additional charges to be waived." The driver today questioned this & called the office, who in turn told me that this was a "1 time deal" arrangement & not continuous. Um, it doesn't sound very "1 time" to me & I've been traveling for years w/little or no problem from the drivers until the driver today, who was the cause of me contacting Van Galder back in 2007 in the 1st place...argh! Now, I understand the need to have policies on bikes, both airline & buses, but folding bikes & ground transport I don't see a need for such a surcharge, especially since baby strollers, golf clubs, skis, etc., don't have the same charge & my folding bike is smaller or the same size as some of those things! After arguing a bit w/both the driver & the lady on the phone, I asked the driver to pull over because I was emotionally upset at this whole thing & would refuse to pay the $5 if asked, which would have caused him to kick me off anyhow. I purchased this bike purposefully to get from the Janesville terminal to my mother's house in Janesville only & now may have to pay the $5 for the ticket plus the $5 surcharge each way, thus $20 each trip instead of the current $10. For this rate, For the increase cost, I almost might as well get a car again & give up on this whole notion of living carfree. I sent a very long message to Van Galder & asked them to consider revising their policy to add "Due to the large size, bicycles...," which is what Badger Bus states & allows the drivers not to charge me for my bike. I guess I'd urge you to consider sending a message to Van Galder at [email protected] on their discriminatory policy regarding bikes. Otherwise, I guess I'm simply sending this to vent on this matter because I'm still basically pissed & frustrated. Thank you for letting me vent & sorry for my long rant. Aaron -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
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