AIBU to think people with umbrella strollers should fold on the bus?

[gezelligheid]

I've just been waiting for the bus at a bus station (a few different buses doing different routes) and I had 4mo DS in his pram with carrycot, and there were 2 other women with prams. One had a foldable umbrella stroller with a child about 3.5 years old in.

They got on first and I tried to get on and asked if the other woman could fold her pram down and she refused saying she's not folding it down just to put it back up again. She told me I should fold mine down if I want to get on (the carrycot needs to be removed, and then it's a 2 hand fold and I had nowhere to put DS if I did that) and there's no point in her putting hers down because then she will need to put it back up again. Meanwhile her child was shouting to get out of the pram.

In the end I had to wait until the next bus on that route which was 30 minutes because I couldn't take my pram down without taking it apart and couldn't hold DS whilst doing that.

Is it unreasonable of me to expect people with older toddlers to fold down their umbrella strollers on the bus in favour of people with tiny babies?

We have an ergobaby carrier and we do usually use it when we go out because I find the pram inconvenient unless I need to use the basket. I'll be using it on the bus all the time now unless I really need to use the pram.

I don't know, you wait ages for a buggy/bus thread, and then several come along at once.

You both have valid reasons here tbh. However, she was there first and whilst it would have been nice for her to help you, she had no obligation to 🤷‍♀️ 20 years ago, when I had my son, there were loads of buses with steps rather than low walk on ones (IYSWIM) I had to ask strangers or the bus driver to hold DS whilst I folded up the buggy if I was alone. Not cool.

Personally I think only foldable pushchairs should be allowed on (unless special needs or disability of the parent). I was a parent before steps were removed on buses so carried mine up plus buggy and shopping, we coped!

I regularly take a person in a wheelchair on an hourly bus route and have been refused access to the bus due to pushchairs on multiple occasions

It would have been nice for her to do so but she was under no obligation and it can be a hassle to get a child out of a pushchair, bags out, fold the buggy and put a child in a seat and then keep them sitting down on the bus.

Just buy an umbrella fold lay flat for the bus. I'd get a second hand one.

Or use a sling.

@gezelligheid

A had a double umbrella stroller when my dd2 came along, it was five from birth, I used a car seat head insert for extra protection for her head, carrying a newborn, wrangling a toddler going through autism diagnosis, double buggy, changing bag, shopping, it's not easy - I used any offer of help I got from other passengers but needs must

I usually use a sling unless I really need to use the pram as I find using the pram a bit of a hassle. Will definitely be making sure to use it on the bus next time (though luckily I don't need to get the bus that often!)

Where do you put the folded buggy? The buses by me would have nowhere to put it and what do you do with the child and any bags you have? How do you get off with the buggy and the child? The bus driver won't wait for you to put it back you again. It's a pain but it just one of them things OP

@Flamingogirl08 I used to prop the buggy upright between my knees or against the window with my baby on my lap.

@gezelligheid there was a thread a day or so ago where the OP did exactly that and all kinds of merry hell broke lose resulting in the Police being called (apparently) The OP was very smug about it (I'm still undecided if she was just incredibly ballsy and smart, or downright awful )