to have struggled not to laugh in his face

[MeAndCoolioDownByTheSchoolYard]

On the bus home from town. DS (17 months) had just fallen asleep when we got on. A couple got on a few stops later with a 3-4 year old and then a toddler and a newborn, the latter two in some kind of behemoth double buggy the size of a camper van.

I got up and tried to squeeze my buggy sideways (even though I was wondering what they were seeing that I wasn't as there was no conceivable way they were both going to fit.) Mine wouldn't fit fully sideways because of the stupid pole so had to sit slightly diagonally. The mum then started stropping and asking me to move even though there was no other possible way I could have moved it that would have let theirs fit (apart from me taking a sleeping DS out and presumably handing him to a stranger while I collapsed the pram).

Her partner then said (passive aggressively to another passenger rather than to my face) that I should have got off the bus and waited for the next one as they had a newborn and therefore priority.

AIBU to think he must be on glue? If you go on public transport with such a big contraption surely you have to accept that you might sometimes have to wait for a bus with no other buggies? Or maybe put the newborn in a sling and then use a normal size pushchair for the toddler?

Home now, kettle is on. Eurgh.

They were rude and PA. But maybe you could have taken out your sleeping baby and folded the pram? I've seen people on here before saying they've handed their baby to many a stranger on the bus so they could sort out prams/shopping.

Even with a newborn, if there was a buggy already ON the bus, I'd wait. If I'd had my DH with me, he'd have folded the buggy!

I noticed recently that all buses in Birmingham are fitted with external cctv cameras (a friend who works for WM Travel said they have 8 in total) which cover the queues, doors and drivers exit.

Not really sure why I thought to mention that. AIBU I suppose ...

Why would you tell someone on a bus to buy a car if you are on the bus too?

Bear, because they need mammoth transportation for their 3 children and expect everyone to get out of their way. Those two facts go together, by the way. I'm not suggesting that everyone with 3 children must buy a car, before you start.

I guess you could have taken DS out and asked chicken man to put it down for you (not that I would have). Honestly, the size of some of these buggies these days, they are simply too big for busy public transport. How did we cope 30 years ago without buggy spaces? We had one McClaren red stripes fold up buggy and anyone over two walked with reigns I guess.

I'd like to think that I would have enabled them to get on the bus by removing my sleeping toddler and collapsing my own pushchair/pram. I'd feel quite bad seeing them have to get off.

With 3 under 5, they will struggle on a bus w/o a pushchair so in that sense I'd say the needs of the newborn do trump yours. Having said that, that's just my opinion, you were well in your rights to do as you did and they were of course quite rude.

I'd quite happily ask a stranger to hold my toddler while I sorted bags and pushchair out, what are they likely to do?!

Massive drip feed! You should have got off so they could get home and their fried chicken was still as warm as possible!

But the reason most people are on the bus is because they don't have a car or cant drive. My point being, you are on the bus too. Carless. It's a moot point and to say that to someone on a bus makes no sense. Because they could say the same back to you. And where would it get you then?

None of you should have got on the bus with an open buggy. The driver shouldn't have let the double buggy on unless it was folded.

OHH FFS MONKEY

The difference is that the OP isn't demanding everyone get out of her way, move for her, fold their shit, is she? That's specifically WHY I said those 2 facts GO TOGETHER to avoid your exact response.

I'll join you with the headdesk. I am just saying as insults or as clever retorts go it makes no sense!!!!

Actually, it does, if you think about it. It's like getting on a bus after having done all your xmas shopping at once and expecting 8 people to get off so you have somewhere to put your bags. Just get a taxi. Oh, you can't afford a taxi? Then find somewhere to put your bags and don't make it other people's problem.

I'm with Darth on this one.
If not having to wait, and having ample room for everyone and all possessions if your minimum requirement for transport, then buses aren't for you.

You pays your money and makes your choice. And when it is a bus fare, it is on the understanding that it isn't First Class all the way

bearleft - you berated the OP for making a 'snide dig' and then made one yourself. Why would your take your hat off to the couple with the buggy? For their digs to OP? Hypocrisy.

I can't believe they expected you to get off when you were there first.

Why couldn't they take their baby and toddler out of the mega buggy and fold it up? What if there had been someone in a wheelchair on the bus would the spacial needs of their Winnebago-stroller take precedence?

I wasnt being snide. I was being truthful. I do take my hat off too them to get about on a bus with three kids. But because I was critical about the stance certain posters were taking including the op, I am now a hypocrite apparently. I think that isn't the definition of hypocrisy. Nobody in this story comes off particularly well. But this is Aibu is it not? So I do think the op is being unreasonable. It is public transportation. For everyone. Including large families. If the bus driver didnt think it was safe for them get on he should be told them to wait for the next bus. That is his job.

Just to say OP, that I have seen this exact scenario happen in my town. In fact, I started a thread about it that got put into classics

The basics were - bus was full with wheelchair and pram already aboard. Two women with pushchairs attempt to get on, driver refuses second due to lack of space. Both pushchair mums ask pram mum to get off bus so they can travel together, pram mum refuses, pushchair mums verbally abuse her so much that bus driver throws them both off! Entire bus then loses Britishness and talks to each other and pram mum to make sure she's ok, and to congratulate driver!

Bear, it sounded like you were "taking your hat off to them" because they were rude to the OP. Your post was poorly phrased / structured. That's why pp are saying you're a hypocrite.

. No it wasn't. I am a parent. Why would I take my hat off to someone being rude. They had three young kids. You clearly chose to read what you wanted to into it. God forbid anyone could be reasonable in these situations.

Yanbu - first come first served. The age of the child in the buggy has no bearing.

Ok bear, it was several other posters, independently of each other, clearly not you. What's more likely? Even I read it that way, although I didn't call you a hypocrite.

It's clear now that that's not what you meant, but it wasn't at the time.

I really fancy some fried chicken now

I take my hat off to them

Yes me too. I love self important cunts that think the world revolves around them personally, and who try to bully others into making them the priority when they've got no fucking right. They are the best kind of people.