Very specific pushchair question for London public transport users

[mrsbabookaloo]

I know the pushchair/buggy/stroller question has been done to death, but I've read all the mumsnet reviews and I'm still confused. I'm a first time mum due in June, I live in London in a groudn floor flat, don't own a car, will probably be using bus more than tube or train and walking a lot too. All the mumsnet advice says if you're using public transport you should get a buggy that's light and folds down easily, but you don't fold your buggy when you get on a bus, you just wheel it on. So is weight still imnportant? I think it would be more important if you had a car, and had to fold it up and lift it into the boot.
I don't want anything flashy, or to spend more than 300 quid: simple, classic looking is more my style. I quite wanted to go for a basic lightweight pushchair from birth, but my mum pointed out that they are all forward facing and it's nice to have baby facing you at first, isn't it?
So, London transport users, what do you think? Is there some vital thing I haven't thought of? What do you recommend for my lifestyle? Should I just go for a sling instead?
Sorry for long post and thanks to anyone who can help!

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Hello,

We've noticed this thread is a little old, so thought it might be helpful to point to our new reviews section. We've spent weeks speaking to parents and testing prams and pushchairs.

Here's our round up of pushchair reviews for the best prams on the market right now.

Hope that helps!

MNHQ

Thanks for all the advice: very interesting to get all the different points of view! I had a very disappointing trip to Oxford Street today: crap selection everywhere, even John Lewis. Couldn't find a M&P pramette to try out anywhere! Going to Liliput in Baterrsea tomorrow.

I faced this dilemma a couple months ago and have decided on the Mamas & Papas A3 pramette. It's more lightweight than the M&P Pliko pramette but still has the same features.
I think it will serve me well for a while, but I reserve the right to buy a cheapo super light-weight buggy when the baby is 6 mos or older!

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I haven't used this buggy myself but I have another phil and ted model and it is great.

This one is designed for use on public transport, you don't even need to take baby out but can still fold it and sit it next to you , or so it claims !

MrsB - isn't there a new Mamas and Papas store at Oxford Circus, where Laura Ashley used to be? It was choc full of prams, maternity clothes, etc when I went a few months ago. If it was a disappointment, plse let me know and I won't make the trip again!

Brilliant, have loved reading all your POV in this thread. I have been having this dilemma with myself for awhile now. I don't regularly take public transport but I want something that you can get on and off easily, when I do use it.

It's a shame you didn't have much luck trying to 'test drive' models mrsbabookaloo. Did you try the Mama's and Papa's store in Regent St?

Kitty4paws: which P&T do you have?

No one's mentioned this, but I folded up my pushchair fairly often on lengthy bus journeys just because my DS would not sit happily still in a pushchair for longer than 15 minutes - no good at all if you need to make it all the way across the city. If he was sitting on my lap I could read to him, point out the window, etc. Maclaren Techno XT was great for this, but a friend had a very cheap, very handy model from Mothercare, the Citilite, also brilliant quick to fold, comfy and light.

Another vote for maclaren techno/quest etc. They are brilliant for buses & tubes as they seem to be more slimline than other pushchairs.Also very light. If there has been a toss up between one of these and a 3 wheeler taking up last post on the bus, the maclaren always wins. I am so glad I never got a 3 wheeler as I use transport all of the time.