Anyone drive from Anaheim to Riverside? How is it?

[vgoose]

Great posts. I am getting the feeling that driving from Anaheim to Riverside in the morning (reverse in the evening) will not be awesome, but not terrible either. I will actually be close to metrolink stations in both locations (Anaheim Hills station & Downtown Riverside) so I am getting pretty excited to ride this train. My final question for the folks discussing train riding is, can I take my bicycle on the train? I read on the metrolink website that bikes are allowed, anyone know if this line has a bicycle car? Otherwise, is there room on this train typically in the morning going in my direction? Thanks!

[Dunbar42]

Originally Posted by vgoose

I read on the metrolink website that bikes are allowed, anyone know if this line has a bicycle car? Otherwise, is there room on this train typically in the morning going in my direction? Thanks!

No idea but the Metrolink that goes along Mission in Ontario never looks even close to full. If you're concerned about space you could get a folding bike if you don't have to travel far on either side of the train commute. I know people on the more crowded trains in DTLA that use folding bikes.

[wrcousert]

There's one huge problem with Metrolink. It doesn't run late at night. You probably won't be able to work late or participate in after work activities unless you can find another way home.

[bouncethelight]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

You probably won't be able to work late or participate in after work activities unless you can find another way home.

Or you could just drive in that day! As long as you know in advance that you want to come home late that day, it can work.

For me, the biggest issues would be not working close enough to the train station to be able to walk it - and - worrying about missing the last train of the night. Probably be smart to keep a little bag at your work - in case you get stuck there overnight and have to get a hotel room.

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by bouncethelight

Probably be smart to keep a little bag at your work - in case you get stuck there overnight and have to get a hotel room.

You can probably rent a car for less than the cheapest motel room. I think Enterprise starts at $23 per day. Budget might be cheaper. I'm pretty certain they will bring a vehicle to you. Maybe City-Data.com could set up a ride sharing section. "Missed the last train - need ride from LA to Santa Ana".

[bouncethelight]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

You can probably rent a car for less than the cheapest motel room. I think Enterprise starts at $23 per day. Budget might be cheaper. I'm pretty certain they will bring a vehicle to you. Maybe City-Data.com could set up a ride sharing section. "Missed the last train - need ride from LA to Santa Ana".

I missed the last train home once, and there were no car rental places nearby. And at that time of night, I doubt they would have been open anyway. There was however a hotel...

After that I swore to never plan to take the last train of the evening - second to last, was as late as I was willing to plan on - then if there was an emergency, or the train broke down, I had that "last train" as a backup plan. It worked for me!

[Dunbar42]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

I think Enterprise starts at $23 per day. Budget might be cheaper. I'm pretty certain they will bring a vehicle to you.

I don't think any rental car companies deliver cars although Enterprise will pick you up and take you back to the rental office. The neighborhood locations usually close at 6pm.

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by Dunbar42

I don't think any rental car companies deliver cars although Enterprise will pick you up and take you back to the rental office. The neighborhood locations usually close at 6pm.

Do they allow you to pick up vehicles after hours? Maybe using some sort of lock box for the keys? I think they so something like this at airport locations.

[Dunbar42]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

Do they allow you to pick up vehicles after hours? Maybe using some sort of lock box for the keys?

Definitely not. I think some neighborhood Hertz locations will let you drop a car off after hours. Enterprise is too strict about damage to allow that. They don't want you saying damage wasn't there when you dropped the car off.