Using a London bus with Babyzen Yoyo2?

[RabbitsNapping]

Due to having vulnerable family I've been very Covid careful and haven't used public transport since early 2020 (we live in London). During this time I've had a baby who is now nearly two!

I'm ready to start using TfL services again and have taken the tube no probs. However I've yet to use a bus with my toddler. We have a mix of normal red buses and routemasters in our area. I use a Babyzen Yoyo2 (bought pre-pandemic thinking I'd be using the tube and buses everyday). I know it sounds silly but what's the best / easiest trick for using a bus with my toddler and this buggy. Eg do you get your toddler out and fold the yo-yo up? And is there a ramp to get onboard? My son is lively but loves buses so I think he's going to enjoy it. The tube doesn't phase him but he stays in his buggy for that.

Anyway any tips for how you manage when it's just you and the toddler catching the bus? From boarding to getting off and where you sit. I guess it's not possible to go up top?

*Disclaimer - I can't believe I'm asking all these questions like a tourist, and before Covid I assumed I'd be dragging my newborn round london everyday. We are now learning all these things for the first time!

Most buses have step free access but it isn’t perfect and there is a bit of a gap. So make sure you strap him in just in case you misjudge it or need to lift the puschair out.

One disadvantage with the yoyo is that it’s tiny. So while it’s ideal for public tranaport it’s a pain for walking for long periods of time if you are taller than 5 ft 4 & the storage space isn’t sufficient. For London I found it far more comfortable to take our Uppababy.

Thanks. By step free access do you mean a ramp that comes down like the ones they use for wheelchairs?

We've used our yo-yo walking everywhere for the past two years and found it great. We don't tend to pack much stuff apart from a small baby bag.

You just wheel it on and put the brake on in the wheelchair area. No need to fold up.

Unlike the PP we got rid of our uppababy as it’s way too bulky for london and really irritating in shops etc. and I’m 5’8 - have never had a problem w it!

I have this buggy and live in London with a 3 year old. Have been on hundreds of buses with it over the years. Just do the same thing as the train and leave the child in it. I normally get on at the rear doors

You don’t need a ramp to get a buggy on a bus. You just lift the front wheels and push it on.

Put it in the wheelchair area if it’s empty. If not fold it up. If someone in a wheelchair comes on after you they have priority and you move and fold your buggy.

If you’ve used the tube given it’s not buggy friendly a bus is much easier.

@RabbitsNapping

Thanks. By step free access do you mean a ramp that comes down like the ones they use for wheelchairs?

We've used our yo-yo walking everywhere for the past two years and found it great. We don't tend to pack much stuff apart from a small baby bag.

They didn’t seem to bring the ramp down for pushchairs on the buses I used. It was just a lowered step & I had to lift DS on.

I didn't have a yo-yo, had the bugaboo bee which isn't too far off. Always kept my DD in it and either stood next to her or sat in the seat closest to it.

I wouldn't get in if there were too many prams already. As for getting off, I'd always get off backwards and be prepared to pick the pram up as the step down can be quite high. Also just make sure the bus driver can hear you so you get enough time to get off.

If the driver doesn't, most people on the bus will shout for you.

This is really helpful! Thanks Londoners!

We use our yoyo2 on busses and the tube a lot! It's great as it's light enough to pick up with the toddler in and carry up steps. Also it doesn't take up much space on the bus. We just park it in the pram/wheelchair bay. But if there was a wheelchair/two prams there already you could always fold it up. Also never had an issue with it on long walks, except on muddy ground!

The thing I would say is that I have had the yo-yo tip over on the bus (with my child in it) twice so do keep a hand on it!