London public transport with buggy - possible?

[naturelover]

I have a maclaren buggy, can I take it on the tube? What about stairs? Do strangers help you? Buses not feasible for whole journey.

Thanks!

Ah it must depend what Maclaren you've got then Woolly - we had a techno and so ds was in it from birth...

9 times out of 10 I get help from a kind stranger. Never really had a problem with buggy and public transport. Only a PITA when the bus is full and you have to wait for another

I've travelled with a maclaren and bugaboo, and I've always been helped on the tube. Even if you get to the stage where you are starting to slowly bump your pram up stairs looking pathetic (in my case), I never get further than the third step before someone offers to help. I also find the bendy buses good for prams - lots of space in the middle. Have also been known to catch a black cab in moments of sheer knackered-ness.

I've been on the tube loads of times with a Maclaren.

It's all been said, I think but top tips are: don't travel in rush hour and ask for help. I never have had to ask tbh but I've seen other people do it and always get help.

I know it's not allowed but I also just push the buggy onto the escalator then tip it back while standing on the step above and holding VERY tightly. If you strap the lo in tightly, it's fine (for me anyway - not necessarily advocating it for everyone!)

I do exactly that, squeaver. And I've travelled on the tube loads of times and never had a journey where I wasn't helped out promptly when I needed it.

Thank goodness - thought I was going to get a load of abuse for that one...!

squeaver - is it not allowed? What are you supposed to do?

I do it all the time btw! Most of the stations near me have no lift so it's escalator or 1,000,000,000,002 stairs.

squeaver - I do that too. And in department stores.

also three things worth knowing:

1. during rush hour bus drivers can and will ask you to fold your buggy. They can and will refuse to let you on the bus if you can't/won't.

2. during rush hour some tube lines won't allow you on with a buggy (rare but has happened to me). TBH it's not feasible anyway on most tube lines in the height of rush hour

3. if it really gets too much or you absolutely need to travel somehwere in rush hour, you can take a child in an unfolded buggy in a London black cab. Just wheel it in, wedge in place and apply brake. Not advocated for long journeys but no more unsafe than a bus imo.

I think you're supposed to fold up the buggy - while removing all bags from the back and juice cups/assorted crap from the hood etc - and carry it while also holding hand of child/carrying infant. Alternatively bump it all the way down the stairs I suppose. Imagine that at Angel!

It's ridiculous isn't it? A tube person once attempted to stop me doing it - there are signs at the top of the escalators. "Attempted" being the operative word there..

Yes rush hour is out, really. Black cabs are a good alternative - done that many a time.

god how pathetic! What do you do if you have a double buggy - god forbid?

I would be far more unsafe attempting to drag DS plus buggy plus assorted crap up 3 flights of stairs. I'd probably have a heart attack halfway up the longest flight and we'd all go roly poly down to the bottom with DS laughing all the way.

I reckon it's safer leaving the baby in the buggy - would be v dangerous carrying all that crap baby kit down an escalator while balancing a baby on your hip.

And why is it that it's the least likely looking people who offer to help most often? IME it's almost always the scary looking youths who go out of their way to help. One even put his joint out on the platform at Clapham Junction to escort me and dd all the way to the exit

It's the only sensible thing to do on an escalator, esp if you have shopping or bags hanging off the buggy. And who doesn't, frankly?

Naturelover have a look at the Babyhawk carrier it is pretty and good for carrying older babies. I tried one on the other day as I use a tricotti at present and not only was it really comfortable it was simple to use. I am not 100% sure but I think you could hire one from Bigmamaslings.com. Do a search on them as I reckon if you wish to have a bit more access to London it could be the way ahead.

Depends on the tube line. The newer ones (eg, Jubilee) are better, and some like the District are overland for quite a lot of time and they're not so bad. Would definitely avoid rush hour though. TBH I live in London and totally avoid the tube with the buggy and take buses and/or the overland trains instead (there are great, thoguh not so good for central London).

I also use an Ergo sling, which are suitable for toddlers - still hard on the back but if you can sit during the journey, bearable (and my DD2 is a heavy 2 year old).

Hackney cabs are also fab: you can book one in advance and set the fare in advance, much cheaper if there turns out to be lots of traffic. Best of luck!