Underground with a pushchair

[Issy42]

Any tips for travelling on the underground with a pushchair?

I'm going from St Pancras to Greenwich Park on 12th for the Olympics. The initial route the journey planner gave me was to change at Cannon St, but this changed to London Bridge when I asked for wheelchair options.

Can you go on the escalators with pushchairs?

No you can't. Can you take a sling?

I would sling if possible, it's about a hundred times easier!

People can and do take buggies on the escalators, I think there's a bit of a technique to it - search the archive for escalator and pushchair and it should come up.
I think the bigger issues would be stairs, if you're on your own (there's a good chance someone will offer to help you but they may not) and getting the pushchair onto a crowded tube.

Empress is right that you can take buggies on escalators but there is a risk if they or you fall so lifts safer.

Plus underground a nightmare with tube unless you are entitled pair I saw taking up four seats for kid and buggy on tube the other day

Buggy I meant. Sling better

Yes, London Bridge has lifts. It's really not a problem taking a pushchair on step-free bits of the tube, and I often take mine through Victoria which has loads of stairs - its amazing how people will help if you are very slowly bumping the buggy down a flight of stairs.

I'd use a buggy that you could carry if a lift is broken, though.

In my experience, you will always find someone to help carry a buggy up stairs or to lift it on and off the trains where there is a gap. People are, in the main, kind-hearted and helpful, even in London and even on the underground. I've never had any real problems with buggies on the tube network, although am not a frequent user of it. I'd say go for it - you'll cope.

I used to travel around the underground system lots with a buggy or pram...first a bugaboo, then a mclaren. I rarely found myself with no offers of help, but be clear about where you want your helper to hold the buggy, rather than Wobbling to the top...people will always be patient.

With escalators ALWAYS be above the buggy, so go forwards onto down escalators, and reverse Pulling the buggy behind you when going up. This means you are always in control...if you go up an escalator trying to hold the buggy in front of you, and it gets stuck, then you cant see the problem to rectify it.

Take your time to position the wheels before you step on so you are a couple of inches away from the side of the escalator when you pull or push the buggy on. Lean the buggy so the weight is just on the back two wheels and step on so that you are one or two steps above the buggy wheels. When the steps start to raise r behind the back wheel then pull the buggy towards you so that it stops up against the step, and hold it there with one hand and hold the rail with the other hand.

You will be in complete control of the buggy, to either just walk straight forward To get off if you are going down, or to pull it off backwards if going up.

London underground escalators tend to have a longer flat section stepping on and off than lots of shops do, so more time to do it. Also, dont be scared to ask someone to stand on the step in front just in case...even as a confident traveller, i would often find the person in front would automatically hold onto the buggy to help, and i do it myself now, especially if the person looks anxious!

If you are coming off an up escalator, dont be too quick to turn around...make sure you are well clear of people coming up behind you before you turn the buggy around, so you dont block them.

This might sound a bit complicated, but it isnt...just stay above buggy, 2 inches from side, and brace wheel against the step on two wheels.

it's totally doable with a buggy. Escalators are fine with practice you're not meant to take buggies on them but I do all the time. Going down I tip the buggy backwards and rest it on the back wheels. Going up I actually continue to face forwards and also tip in backwards with it resting on the front wheels. If you have swivel front wheels and they can be locked it does make it easier. Unlike shopping centre escalators you do get a nice long flat bit at the top and bottom so you can sort your balance out and get the buggy resting on its back wheels before getting off. It's all much easier if you don't over load the buggy with luggage, so if you need to bring lots of stuff bring a back pack too. There are often lots of steps at changes, but there is always someone to help you out, you just have to ask sometimes. The best people to ask IME are young men! I always keep both hands on the buggy and don't bother with the moving hand rail. The escalators are quite slow and a bit jerky compared to shopping centre ones. Obviously keep child strapped in at all times in case they are liable to do a runner or fall out!

There does tend to be a gap between the train and platform. I find the easiest way on to the train is forwards, tipping the buggy backwards towards you. The easiest way to get off though for me is backwards, keeping the front wheels safely on the train until you have got the back wheels onto the platform.

I am not very tall Bonzo, so that is probably why i feel out of control with buggy in front...i just cant see past it to see what's up if it gets stuck, then its a disaster as everyone piles up behind me!

Yes, I did all the time although I had a McClaren Travel Quest and it was very lightweight. Was a nervous the first couple of times. I alway face forward - I find it too hard to do backwards. I have never had a problem travelling on the tube with this pushchair.

Thanks all, that's reassuring. Sorry for late reply, have flu and and went straight to bed at same time as DD yesterday. She's too heavy for a sling now, and doesn't like the restriction, so I have to take the pushchair. I have a Streety which is quite lightweight but it is fiddly to tip up so going to be fun. I used to live in London but never really noticed any buggies on the tube, was in blissful pre-motherhood ignorance .