A proposal from city staff that asked mothers with strollers stay out of bus aisles, give up their spot for wheelchairs and stay off the bus if they cannot fold their carriages failed to find favour with the city’s transit committee today.
After being criticized by a seven mothers, the proposal was amended at the meeting to allow open strollers in aisles under certain conditions.
“My main concern is am I going to be able to get my stroller on the bus in an open position with my son in it,” said Danielle Aubin, one of the mothers at the meeting.
It’s difficult to fold a stroller with a baby while carrying other belongings on a moving bus, she said.
“It’s enough to make me stop taking the bus,” said Aubin.
After seven mothers and a woman in a wheelchair arrived at the meeting to oppose the new regulations, Rideau-Vanier Ward Coun. Georges Bedard brought forward a motion to allow strollers in the aisle if the wheelchair positions were full.
This amendment meant that strollers would not have to be folded if the priority seating area became full with wheelchairs.
Open strollers should be allowed on the bus if there is room on the bus and it doesn’t endanger other passengers, said Bedard.
The committee passed the amendment and the proposal. The committee did not deem the proposal important enough to bring it before the full council, so it will take effect immediately.