Only 2 stars because of my comment which is a complaint. I am a mom of two boys, 3 yrs old and 1 yr old. The oldest is always sheering the driver with "Hello" and "Thank you. Bye bye". The youngest just mastered walking on his own.
We commute by bus (the Dash) from Lafayette, CO to Boulder, CO to go to daycare (which is still a 10-min walk, uphill, from the bus stop). We take (many other) buses to go everywhere. We are frequent riders and we like taking the bus.
Because my youngest boy just learned to walk, he needs to be in the stroller. Because my oldest boy is only 3, he cannot walk for long and he needs to be in the stroller sooner or later. He is only 3. How much did you walk when you were 3 (or 4 or 5 yrs old)? When it's cold, when it's snowy or raining? How much can you walk now???
Therefore, I use the double stroller. It's a stroller with side to side seating (instead of front back seating).
Often, RTD has won best public transit system in North America, which shows that for the most part, RTD is really on top of its game. HOWEVER. However, there are a few drivers who are careless, i.e. jerks (sorry for my French) -and that's probably because there are a few managers above them who are jerks too. These few drivers either refuse to give me a ride (by not providing me with the lift for the stroller and myself to get on the bus) or request that I fold the stroller (preferably before boarding the bus) regardless of the amount of riders in the bus, and usually the bus is not crowded at all. This is discrimination.
Our stroller is within RTD's maximum dimensions allowed for strollers, which are "Maximum size for an uncollapsed stroller is 48" long by 36" wide". The stroller fits on the lift and ramp. The stroller is within the width of the 2-seater bench and fits in the priority seating area leaving the aisle completely free.
Have you ever folded a double stroller? It folds in one dimension. Our stroller folds flat (relatively). While all 4 wheels and the handle bar are removable, that would not "help the sauce" to move or carry the stroller. What would I do with single wheels in my hands? How can I carry a folded double stroller and my two kids all at once?!!?!!?
Before saying that a parent has to fold his/her stroller, have you ever thought of what it really means? That means that I would have to climb up the bus stairs while carrying the flattened double stroller in one hand (have you ever carried a stroller in your arms? It's heavy!) while carrying my youngest boy in my other arm (because he is NOT going up the stairs or taking a seat on his own)?!? And what about my oldest boy? ...I provide him with no supervision while I manage to carry it all into the bus? How do I store the flattened double stroller while keeping my youngest boy (he's just 1) on the bench safe? Isn't safety first?
Sometimes requests to fold my stroller came because the bus is or will be crowded. Bus drivers take riders up to being full from the back exit door to front exit door, and even past the white line on the front of the bus -packed like sardines. Is this safe??? I want to point out that there is an ad about strollers posted inside the bus that says "Be prepared to collapse your stroller before boarding a crowded bus to make room FOR ELDERLY or DISABLED passengers" It is understandable that elderly and disabled riders need space. But a parent with children SHOULD NOT have to make space for the general public. This is DISCRIMINATION . I am taking the bus with my kids and I have equal rights to ride the bus with my kids, and while they will be young enough, I will have to have our double stroller.
On RTD's web page "Vehicle Accessibility" http://www.rtd-denver.com/Accessibility.shtml , here is the some appropriate wording to remind RTD drivers "Customers traveling with large items, such as luggage, grocery carts, and strollers may sit in the priority seating area, but should comply with the operator's request to relocate to other seating to accommodate an elderly or disabled passenger." This statement is clear and honest, and it should not be confused with making space for all other passengers so that the bus can be fuller.
Remembering when I was pregnant...In a crowded bus, a seat should be offered to pregnant women. I strongly believe that another ad that reads "Please share your ride with elderly, disabled people, pregnant women and parents with kids" should be posted. This should also be an enforced RTD policy. These 4 groups of people have equal rights to board the bus -and with their equipment whether it is a cane, walking chair, wheel chair, stroller, etc, It is a need, it is a walking aid for my kids.
having a stroller for kids is like the wheel chair for the disabled or the walking aid for the elderly. It's a need. It is not an extra piece of belongings that can be easily stowed away. read more