To think that all the people who say "fold your buggy" are being a bit daft?

[Pyjamaramadrama]

I regularly read threads on here about buggies on buses and they get quite heated.

The consensus seems to be that buggies should be folded.

Before anyone says anything I absolutely think that wheelchair users and other disabilities need to take priority for obvious reasons.

However the type of prams for newborns would be nearly impossible for a parent on their own to fold while holding a baby and possibly shopping etc. it's much easier with a toddler who can stand and a stroller which can be easily folded. But you simply cannot put a newborn in a stroller. I'm pregnant with #2 and I've searched for the most compact, easy to fold pram, but I still wouldn't fancy trying to board a bus with a floppy newborn while trying to fold pram and negotiate my bags.

Lucky for me I drive but I can remember being in the predicament with my firstborn of having to get the bus on older style buses and I simply couldn't do it, I had a lie flat pram where the pram needed to be removed to fold the chassis, packs of nappies and formula and newborn ds, I had no Internet access at the time so no online shopping and I ended up in tears once trying to board a bus and dropping everything and the driver and passengers just staring at me.

Also perhaps it is just where I live but all the new buses now have buggy and wheelchair zones so there is room for everyone most of the time.

As I'll say again wheelchair users do come first as ultimately a parent could probably walk if necessary, but why do some people seem to be so against anything which makes new parents lives easier? Maybe they've forgotten what it's like or haven't had to manage the bus alone with newborn.

Oh and my parents and grandparents reckon it was a nightmare with the old buses before buggy zones as they simply couldn't board the bus with a pram.

I think what helluva says is right.

Because repeated again, they aren't buggy spaces they are wheelchair spaces a buggy can go if free

Many slings fold tiny into pocket for the 5 mins convinince

up I am not sure what your point is. No one is taking anything upon themselves. The spaces on our buses clearly say that they are for buggies if not needed by a wheel chair user. People are just objecting to being huffed at, called entitled, smug, selfish etc for using them as suggested and not being a total martyr. That has nothing to do with the disgusting attitude displayed by people in your second example, which is shit and unforgivable.

The thing is folding is v dependant on your fellow passengers who are under no obligation to hold your toddlers,baby or crap.

Have to say in my many years of bus use with a Nipper double and 3 under 15 months I never encountered a wheelchair or had any problems re leaving said buggy unfolded.We caused less hassle as it slotted into the fold up seat section nicely. If said seats were needed I moved and the OAPs who needed the seats would suggest I leave the buggy up whilst they kept an eye on the two in it. If needs be I'd have folded,always offered but frankly never needed to as thankfully the people who used the fold up seats had a lot more sense and empathy than others on this thread.

If I am on the bus with a buggy and a wheelchair user gets on, I get off and get the next bus or walk if it's only a couple of stops. It very rarely happens, most bus drivers say that it's ok to have the buggy in the aisle near the doors so people can get passed.

It's not folding the buggy that's a pain, it's carrying it off the bus with a baby or toddler, shopping, nappy bag and handbag! However, I have found that there are a lot of helpful people who will give you a hand usually holding baby/toddler, who would refuse a cuddle with a little one?! even in grumpy old London!

sirzy is right too of course and I do/did fold if it's not impractical. but to do so always just in case is often a pita abd unnecessary. And anyway you then get huffed at when the bus has to wait for you to reassemble everything or you stumble into someone while trying to do it while the bus is moving. Some people are determined to be critical of anyone with a buggy or not totally independent. It's unkind and, I agree, seems to be reserved for mothers.

Perhaps I'm not getting it?
Are people saying buggies should be folded,regardless of sleeping multiple children etc etc when there is no wheelchair user on the bus?

You are also relying very much on your bus driver checking you have folded,found a new place for said buggy,sat down and safely seated your toddlers after finding several seats together before driving off at speed and then slamming on the brakes for oncoming traffic.I've seen many Oaps lose their footing as said drivers speed off before they are seated.Placing musical folding buggy and toddler seating in the split seconds you have at each spot is more than a little dangerous imvho.

sling.

UptheChimney I've never seen that but that's disgusting
I think if you have a buggy in the wheelchair space, you should get off and wait for the next bus, or fold up your buggy (if you can)

My reasons for not folding - which include safety of scarpering toddler and lumbering particularly squirmy baby - are also to do with convenience. I don't see a problem with getting on a bus with an unfolded buggy when there is space to do so. I don't think that's daft - it can be really stressful to juggle all that, so why do it if there's no reason? Especially (sorry to bring it up again) when there are frollicksome teenagers and fit and well adults who chose not to go upstairs.

This said, I have folded up buggies when necessary, eg older toddler on a packed bus. I don't think I would for no reason though, if I wasn't inconveniencing anyone.

I carefully chose a lie flat and forward facing travel system as I heard both of these were best for a newborn.
I did not complain if I could not get on a bus as the space was occupied, though I did die a little inside, especially in the rain. As soon as my c section recovery was complete, I just drove everywhere. Is that better? Now people can just call me entitled for using parent and child spaces, rather than for wanting to use a wheelchair space when it is lying empty.

Do the sling crusaders not read threads.

Why don't other people on buses blimming help mums instead of tutting at them?! I've been on a bus where the driver actually helped me fold my buggy.

Is anyone actually reading the OP or the other posters?
No one is saying they wouldn't move for a wheelchair user, and everyone has acknowledged that wheelchair users come first. But being expected to fold your buggy every time you get on a bus when it's not essential that you do, is unnecessary in some cases, really difficult/impossible. I don't see how it's selfish or inconsiderate of people to leave the buggy unfolded if there are no wheelchair users on the bus.
It's not an issue in my area, there is a large bay at the front of the bus with a sign that reads:
'This space is big enough for 2 pushchairs or 1 wheelchair user. Should a wheelchair user get on the bus the driver will request that pushchairs are folded'
It's never been a problem for me, but agree with a pp that having a buggy space AND a wheelchair space would be even better. But I take the sign to mean that the space is for buggies unless a wheelchair user needs it, in which case, of course I would move.
I think I am a considerate passenger, if I see anyone struggling I offer to help, if the bus gets full I stand up to let others sit down.
Some of the pp about getting huffed and puffed at while they're folding their buggies are just awful, if you don't fold you're selfish, if you do, you take too much time. Damned if you do, damned if you don't it would seem.

The couple of wheelchair users I knew who used to sometimes get the bus,would fold their wheelchairs to get on the ones with steps.They had their wheelchairs because they couldn't manage walking longer distances.

They always got priority,regardless,on low floor buses,and rightly so.

There's a special place in hell for able-bodied people who stand stubbornly in the buggy/wheelchair space when there are seats upstairs. Also, idiots who stand right by the doors when they're not getting off and there's space elsewhere.

Nultersmum what on earth are you on?!

Those people have the right to stand there if they wish… some people may only be travelling a short distance, may not be able to climb stairs as easily as others, may not even like going upstairs or sitting upstairs (especially whilst bus is moving) or simply want to stand. same goes for the people who stand by doors. I know a friend of mine who due to a bad bus crash incident where she was a passenger whenever she uses buses if she can't see a seat downstairs, she'll stand.

also on crowded london buses often people (don't ask me why) will stand downstairs, sometimes to keep an eye on luggage/shopping next to the driver seat.

are you a mind reader?! re passengers wanting to get on/off etc. also it's well known that standing on your commute is a good way to burn extra calories. generally most people I know who are standers don't get in the way, it also says 'standing room xxx passengers'….

oh and before you have a pop at me I prefer to sit actually.

Don't use a bus would be my answer

But then I hate the things! (buses, not prams!)

Don't use a bus would be my answer

Not quite sure how you would have suggested we got to the child minder and to work then!

SuperFlyHigh, I'm not talking about crowded buses, when you just stand wherever there's a free milimetre. I'm talking about ones with plenty of space. If you want to stand, fair enough, but why block the doors (and then sigh heavily when cruelly forced to move so people can get off)?

I find it hard to believe all the people who appear to be able, don't go upstairs.

I can easily believe there are some who have hidden disabilities, are terrified of the stairs, have had previous bad experiences etc - but ALL of them? Nope. Don't buy it.

And though people can sit/stand where they like, should they do so if it inconveniences others? I zip upstairs whenever I can, because I can.

I think all this talk of folding buggies so as not to inconvenience other passengers is well and good, but doesn't it go both ways? I think it makes you a bit of a selfish wanker if you are fully able to go upstairs/to the back of the bus, but decide not to, and then someone else has to fold their buggy/shuffle in and stand when they need to sit etc.

What nultersmum and I are both on, is the top deck

My DC are not allowed on the top deck, too much crime and aggravation in our area.

Oh right, now we learn the real reason everyone huffs at people who don't fold their buggy. People want to stand in the buggy/wheelchair space to burn calories and avoid the aggravation upstairs. Ffs.

longest - I personally haven't seen people who huff at non buggy folding!

I'm in SE/SW London and almost always buggy is parked in disabled space. I don't think I've seen wheelchair and buggy on at same time but there's always the one instance eh?!

If there isn't a buggy in the buggy/wheelchair space then anyone who wants to can stand there… if a buggy gets on I swear I haven't heard standers huff at them!

The simple truth is that buses have a limited space - I've seen in the past buggy wars or manoeuvres between more than one unfolded buggy so that 2 can get on. in the end they both get on… quelle surprise!

But why should I sit upstairs if for example i want to stand (I don't I sit…!) - if I want to stand it's my prerogative as long as I'm not blocking the buggy space or i move if a buggy gets on…

ta da!