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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

2 strollers per bus

274 replies

GingerBeverage · 09/01/2020 11:09

How many times have you been told you can't get on a bus because there are already 2 strollers on board?
I'd have thought that any analysis of London bus users would highlight that people with strollers are some of the biggest users of the service.
Would it be SO terrible to have a little more space for us, and for wheelchair users?

OP posts:
InACheeseAndPickle · 09/01/2020 12:29

Why would you buy a pram which doesn't fold if you have to regularly get on a crowded bus?

shas19 · 09/01/2020 12:30

Who picks their pram based on public transport?

EmeraldShamrock · 09/01/2020 12:31

It is the rules in Dublin too. I couldn't believe there was a bus etiquette before I had a baby.
Once a lady opened the hoods to see it she was a new born. I bought a easily foldable bus buggy after that, I got sick of waiting on a free bus. I'd always get off for a wc user got on.

EmeraldShamrock · 09/01/2020 12:34

Who picks their pram based on public transport? Those who use it regularly. Unless you want to waste hours been refused onto the bus or getting off for a wc user.

Looneytune253 · 09/01/2020 12:35

Surely if you're pushing a little stroller then it would be simple enough to just fold it down?

shas19 · 09/01/2020 12:36

My partner drives so wasnt really a big factor in our choice. I use it once or twice aa week for shopping so didnt even cross my mind

shas19 · 09/01/2020 12:37

Also, will get flamed but I've never been asked to get off for a WC user

AlwaysThinkingOfNames · 09/01/2020 12:38

Who picks their pram based on public transport?
Surely if you are going to rely on public transport to get around it would be a consideration?

ALLMYSmellySocks · 09/01/2020 12:38

Who picks their pram based on public transport?

Everyone with any sense who uses public transport. What kind of idiot doesn't pick a pram that will be most convenient for everyday use?

FrannyHy · 09/01/2020 12:38

I also live in Brighton in an area up a steep hill. There is a limited half hourly bus service.

The drivers did let more buggies than they should at times because they know the mums will have a long wait for the next bus. However, they created an obstruction and made it dangerous for all users so a quick photo tweeted to the bus company has helped put a stop to that.

AlwaysThinkingOfNames · 09/01/2020 12:39

Also, will get flamed but I've never been asked to get off for a WC user
Meaning, a wheelchair user has never got on while you have been on or they have tried to, and you weren't asked to get off, so you just didn't? Two different cases.

ALLMYSmellySocks · 09/01/2020 12:39

Also, will get flamed but I've never been asked to get off for a WC user

Asked or not you'd be a dickhead not to get off without being asked for a WC user. If there aren't any WC users trying to use the space (or there are two spaces etc) then there's no problem.

shas19 · 09/01/2020 12:39

Like I stated, I dont rely on it. Wasnt a factor.

shas19 · 09/01/2020 12:40

Why would I get off a bus for a journey I PAID for? Everyone has places to be

AlwaysThinkingOfNames · 09/01/2020 12:42

Why would I get off a bus for a journey I PAID for? Everyone has places to be
Right. Like the wheelchair user who is PAYING for that space which your pram and child didn't PAY for. The journey you PAID for was just for you, the pram and child are carried as a curtesy.

SleepingStandingUp · 09/01/2020 12:46

Why would you buy a pram which doesn't fold if you have to regularly get on a crowded bus? because unlike the mneers who can juggle 4 kids and 8 bags of shopping one handed, I can't juggle two newborns and collapsing a pram

@shas19 you don't have to get off.
You just need to get out of the wc space of a wheelchair users needs to get on

Bear2014 · 09/01/2020 12:47

Who buys a pram based on public transport? Me, loads of people in London.

Mine is small and easily folded, but it's comically stressful having to fold and stash it on a bus:
Remove child from buggy,
Fold buggy while holding child or child is attempting to escape
Attempt to find somewhere to put it
Hold your bag/s and/or small child/ren, attempt to get them sat down somewhere that they will be safe...
do the whole thing in reverse when you need to get off.

I usually factor in enough time to just wait for the next one, but it is a pain. Can't wait to be buggy free.

doadeer · 09/01/2020 12:49

I gave a bugaboo bee and in London. There's hardly ever two prams on my buses and I think in a year I've seen 3 wheelchairs get on - I've just got straight off and waited for the next bus. If you're in London they come literally ever 5 mins... I just always allocate more time than needed. When DS was little and the pram had the carry cot there's no way I could have folded holding him so I just used the sling.

Where I live hardly anyone has big heavy prams because we use public transport a lot. I know it's much tougher outside London where buses are more infrequent

doadeer · 09/01/2020 12:50

Have*

And for the person asking would you buy a buggy based on public transport... It was abig consideration for me. Most important was something I could lift up a flight of stairs, followed by could I navigate easily on public transport.

WiddlinDiddlin · 09/01/2020 12:51

I think buses should have rules that, unless a pushchair/pram is in fact a medical aid/wheelchair, you don't get on unless its folded.

Can't fold/won't fold - no bus for you.

That will then cause parents who need to use public transport regularly, to choose devices that are easy to fold one handed, and/or use slings.

In turn, that will increase pressure on manufacturers to make devices that fit public transport requirements.

And if you all refuse to pay stupid money for these things and only buy the cheaper ones, the prices will come down as well - so if you do need to buy two different buggies for different jobs, that's affordable.

If you think that's unfair or that if you have more than one child, you will struggle to get on public transport at all.... I honestly have very little sympathy.

As a wheelchair user, I have multiple devices, they cost thousands, between 2.5 and 13K and I funded most of that myself (bar the £450 the NHS supplied). I also still need an indoor powerchair, I'll have to find 1K for that myself with the NHS supplying the rest.

Some of these devices are NOT suitable for public transport, too big, too bulky - I don't use them on public transport, I use something else.

If I have to do this, and this is for the rest of my life, not just a few years of my life - why shouldn't other users of bulky equipment have to provide suitable equipment for the task and environment at hand?

Of course you may say there are very few wheelchair users on buses anyway - in some places that is true, not because we don't want to use them, but because getting to them, getting on them, finding space, is all such a bloody lottery and a stress, we often either don't go out, or take more expensive options!

On top of that of course, worldwide theres only a max. of 15% of people who NEED a wheelchair, who actually HAVE a wheelchair (and I would think the stats for those who have a wheelchair that actually meets their needs vs those who have something thoroughly inappropriate are even more shocking).

doadeer · 09/01/2020 12:51

Plus in London you get unlimited journeys in an hour for the price of 1.50 so it doesn't matter if you paid you won't get charged again unless you've been on the go for ages!

RicStar · 09/01/2020 12:55

I do slightly agree that it is annoying that many london bus drivers will do even let a third buggy on even if you say you will fold it down - and even if the bus is relatively empty. I dont think we need more space for buggies though as these occasions are relatively rare. I too will be glad when I can avoid the whole issue - so much easier if I just have my big two.

Likethebattle · 09/01/2020 12:57

I saw a right numpty screeching about her ‘baybee’ when she was told her pram couldn’t fit due to a wheelchair and blind gentleman with a guide dog. Well they should be turned off as she has a ‘bay-bee’!

SleepingStandingUp · 09/01/2020 12:57

I think buses should have rules that, unless a pushchair/pram is in fact a medical aid/wheelchair, you don't get on unless its folded 🙄😴😴

if you have more than one child, you will struggle to get on public transport at all.... I honestly have very little sympathy so as I have twins I should expect to walk the 10 miles to our hospital appts or I should lock one in the cupboard?

HomeMadeMadness · 09/01/2020 12:57

@shas19 You might not "need" to use public transport but many WC users do. So either buy a buggy that can fold or be prepared to get off if a WC user needs the spot.

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