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Original poster

Bugaboo Donkey Twin - Public Transport?

21 replies

Squiff70 · 19/08/2019 16:02

Hi all,

I'm expecting twins and would love to invest in the Bugaboo Donkey Twin as I like the side-by-side format and the ease of getting babies in/out.

One problem - I don't drive and MUST be able to get the pram on a bus. The buses where we live are nearly all First Buses with only doors at the front and a sharp turn to the right. Then there's a pesky pole to contend with and filling up a space meant fo wheelchair users which I also feel guilty about.

I've looked at other twin prams, specifically the Cosatto Wow XL Twin which we both really like but it's going to be an absolute BALLACHE to get the babies in and out of the 'bottom' carrycot/seat.

Seriously, what are our chances of getting the Donkey Twin on a bus please? They claim it has the same footprint as a wheelchair, but I'm not convinced.

Thanks in advance!

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Angelinthenightx · 19/08/2019 19:49

I had the bugaboo donkey last time when i had a baby & toddler,i loved it ,i just walked everywhere as i dont drive either,so i have no advice on if it fits on as bus.if i were u id get the measurements then measure the bus or even phone the bus company they should be able to tell u.
Bugaboo is my fave pram i have the cameleon for this baby but the donkey is amazing its not that heavy with 2 in it,its a neat fit for a double.

fragglerockette · 19/08/2019 19:56

I have a donkey and also do not drive, you can fit on first buses just fine once you get the hang of it

Original poster

Squiff70 · 19/08/2019 21:38

Thanks @Angelinthenightx - unfortunately nothing I need is within walking distance of our house including doctors, hospitals, dentist, local towns etc. Phoning the bus company to ask for dimensions is a g ood idea, thanks!

Hi @fragglerockette. Do you have the Donkey Mono, Duo or Twin please?

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fragglerockette · 19/08/2019 21:41

I started with the mono and extended it when I had my second child to the side by side duo. I can fit it on the bus, in shops and through my front door (just)
I have been using it every day for nearly 4 years and it is still going strong.

Original poster

Squiff70 · 19/08/2019 21:48

I could kiss you @fragglerockette, thanks so much! I'll definitely look into this further...

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Waterdropsdown · 19/08/2019 21:51

They are massive i know they wouldn’t work on London buses.
I am very surprised that you say they claim to be wheelchair footprint as I recall this being the claim of the mountain buggy duet which does fit in most places but is considerably narrower than the donkey.

Original poster

Squiff70 · 19/08/2019 22:02

Really @Waterdropsdown? Argh!

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chocolaterain · 19/08/2019 22:12

I've seen people use donkeys on first buses near me, and they get on ok. They do take up a lot of room though but tbh any double pushchair will.

Original poster

Squiff70 · 19/08/2019 22:13

Interesting, @chocolaterain, thanks for your input!

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Waterdropsdown · 19/08/2019 22:33

Do you go into shops or cafes much? Honestly you will struggle with the donkey.
The mountain buggy has it downsides but fitting into places is not one of them! I barely used the car til after my twins were 1 and went everywhere with my mountain buggy.

Original poster

Squiff70 · 19/08/2019 22:38

Shops yes. Cafes very rarely @Waterdropsdown.

The problems with the Mountain Buggy are that we definitely don't want a pram with one wheel at the front and also, we don't want car seats on the buggy - we want the babies to lie flat in a carrycot until they're old enough to sit in a proper seat.

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Waterdropsdown · 19/08/2019 22:43

Mountain buggy duet has 2 wheels at front and you can get bassinets. It’s a massive faff changing from car seats to the bassinets anyway I hated doing it. Mine were in the bassinets for 4 or so months then those parts turn into parent facing seats.

Incase I sound like the mountain buggy salesperson - cons are

stupid wheels that get punctures (some people replace these for hard wheels)
the bassinets feel/look a bit basic

But the actual pushchair for once they are in the normal seats is really really great (other than the wheels).

MrsEG · 20/08/2019 06:08

Also expecting twins and were going for the Mountain Buggy Duet; chassis is much less wide; overall just looks more compact. I asked the similar question to a nanny and she didn’t rate the Bugaboo at all (too big, too heavy) but loved the Mountain Buggy. The fact it’s also half the price sealed the deal for me! As PP says you can get carrycots for it and it has 4 wheels - only con I’ve noticed from reviews is the wheels but you can order a puncture-proof pair which I think we will do just in case.

DappledThings · 20/08/2019 08:01

Another vote for the Mountain Buggy Duet. I had to with toddler and newborn. Carrycot slides into seat so is lie-flat and I took it on all types and sizes of buses no problem.

Original poster

Squiff70 · 20/08/2019 11:04

Thanks so much everyone. Do you know if Mothercare have the Mountain Duet in? We'll look round and see if we can test-drive one.

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MNHQ

JoshMumsnet · 20/08/2019 11:09

Hello,

Sorry to jump in, but we recently reviewed the Nipper Double, which we picked as our double buggy of 2019.

The video is below - hopefully it's of interest.

badtime · 20/08/2019 11:28

Mothercare do have it.
I have the Mountain Buggy too. It is about 10cm narrower than all the other side-by-side buggies.
Incidentally, you don't even need the carry cot/bassinet to lie flat, the seat can be let down until it is flat.

Original poster

Squiff70 · 20/08/2019 15:01

Thanks so much for the review video of the Double Nipper @JoshMumsnet! It looks like a great pram but we really don't want a pram with just one wheel at the front as we're worried it'll tip over going down a kerb or something.

Thank you @badtime. Good to know Mothercare have the Duet in stock (store dependant and subject to availability I'm sure) that we can have a look at. 10cm narrower than most double buggies is really good to know - it may mean the difference between getting it on or off a bus! We do definitely want the bassinets for newborns though. I'll be having a c-section at 36 weeks so the babies might be a little small. I don't like the thought of them in a reclined seat really, but I'll be a first-time mum, what do I know?!

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PippaPug · 20/08/2019 15:44

I went to a Mothercare at the weekend and apparently they don’t do the bassinets for the mountain buggy duet, or online, only place I found (near me) is John Lewis.

Not quite the same - but in London - my two friends could get two mountain buggies on in London, you would only get one bugaboo donkey onboard.

I have worked with bugaboo over 10 years (I’m a nanny) and have had a lot of issues with bugaboo and if they have to send the buggy off it can take 8/12 weeks to get it back.

I’m in the same position as you - having twins, no access to car and will be using first buses - we are going for the mountain buggy duet - just unsure which one!

DappledThings · 20/08/2019 15:53

10cm narrower than most double buggies is really good to know - it may mean the difference between getting it on or off a bus

It definitely does make a difference. It was only about 3cm wider than my single. No problem on any buses from full double-decker to those ones that are almost mini buses.

chocolaterain · 22/08/2019 11:33

I had the mountain buggy duet when I had a 1 year old and a newborn, and it was fab BUT the carrycots are extremely narrow.
We used the cocoon because it seemed easier to just clip onto the seat, and also seemed slightly wider, and it was outgrown by 2 months. I do make chunky children though, so you may find it fine if you have smaller ones.

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