Restricting size of strollers on transit is not in public interest, TTC says

A few months ago, I wrote a post outlining seven of my transit pet peeves as a new parent in Vancouver. In the comment section, a common complaint from readers was that too many "entitled breeders" are taking "gigantic" and "oversized" strollers on TransLink buses.

Well, over in the Centre of the Universe, the Toronto Transit Commission has been looking at the contentious issue of strollers on transit vehicles. Staff have recommended the TTC continue to not restrict the size of strollers.

A report on the agenda for the TTC's February 25 meeting also says that parents shouldn't be charged a "premium" for using strollers. The number of strollers that can be safety accommodated on a bus should remain at the transit operator's "discretion", according to TTC staff. The TTC report states:

Furthermore, quite separate from the capacity and congestion debate, there is a strong societal imperative in not further restricting access to public transit to customers accompanied by young children. Quite simply, public transit must widen its reach to the broadest range of society to ensure that it fulfils its fundamental purpose – to move people.

For us in Metro Vancouver, what's TransLink's stance on strollers? The TransLink website doesn't exactly offer up this information readily, but the posted policy for people with disabilities addresses part of this issue. Regarding the accessible areas at the front of buses, the TransLink policy states:

Strollers may use this area; however, when demand dictates, the stroller must give way to people with mobility devices, including walkers. Children in strollers should be removed and the strollers collapsed.

Unlike the TTC, TransLink does restrict the size of strollers. According to the policy, strollers must be collapsible and no larger than 122 centimetres (48 inches) long by 60 centimetres (24 inches) wide.