Parents with prams claim discrimination

[Derwan]

From The Courier Mail:

Parents with prams claim discrimination as they are not allowed on public transport in Brisbane

PARENTS with prams are routinely being refused entry to public transport in Brisbane in what they claim is a form of discrimination.

At around 7 o'clock one Monday morning last month, childcare centre director Anita Flowers was turned away from two buses and a train at Buranda on Brisbane's southside, prompting her to launch an online petition.

She said both bus drivers told her she could not board unless she folded up the pram carrying her sleeping five-month-old daughter.

"I accepted this and walked to the nearest train station where I waited for at least 15 minutes, and when the train finally arrived, the guard told me that I would have to wait for the next one as this one was full," said Ms Flowers. "He then proceeded to say, 'all trains are full at this time, you should wait'."

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She said she hoped her petition would get the attention of public transport officials and possibly lead to the dedication of a pram-friendly carriage.

Brisbane City Council confirmed prams had to be folded and placed in the designated storage bays on older buses, but a spokeswoman said they were permitted in the wheelchair bays of the new low-floor vehicles.

However Ms Flowers said it was drivers of low-floor buses who refused to let her on with her pram.

Other parents who signed her petition said they had experienced similar acts of discrimination.

Mother of three Elizabeth Ryan said that although her children were all under four, she always travelled without a pram so she could access public transport.

"This has been the only way I can make sure I can get on a full bus or train," Ms Ryan said.

Rushmee Chauhan said she spent thousands of dollars to park in the city rather than catch the train because of the discrimination she had experienced with her son.

"If Queensland Rail provides seats for specific groups, they should enforce the provision," Ms Chauhan said. "Other passengers are on the whole not tolerant of children in their space so a carriage dedicated to parents with children would keep all commuters happier."

A Queensland Rail spokeswoman said it was disappointing to hear of Ms Flowers' experience and the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

"Queensland Rail station staff and train crew are trained to assist all customers who may require assistance getting on board," she said.

"In the event there may be overcrowding in a carriage during peak travel times, guards will make announcements encouraging other customers to provide more room at entry points."

Ms Flowers said a man who used a wheelchair at her station (Coorparoo) had never been told to wait.

"I sometimes think that if my daughter was in a wheelchair it would be easier to get on (a train)," she said.

"Everybody should be able to access public transport."

Plenty of comments on this topic - mostly having a go at Ms Flowers.

[Otto]

When my son was 'Baby Size', I had two prams that I used.. 1 was a big 'bells n whistles' pram that I used when going out in the car..  The other was a small folding stroller that took up next to no room. Its purpose was simply for use on PT.. Never had any problems with the small stroller..

I must add that the 'Modern' 3 wheeled prams are just plain dangerous on PT.. Trains, not so bad, but on buses, they can easily topple over if an emergency 'brake and swerve' is required thus resulting in possible injury to baby.. These are also the most difficult prams to roll on / off buses due to the single front pivoting wheel. I personally feel that the 3 wheel type should be banned on buses unless they are folded up and no baby is inside during travel. The more traditional 4 wheeled prams are much more stable and safe on a bus with a baby within.

[mufreight]

There should be a limitation on the size of prams on any form of public transport.
In a peak situation recently a woman with a double monster size pram with only one child boarded the train, to enable her to load the pram some 9/10 people disembarked and when the woman and her monstrosity status symbol had boarded there was insufficient room for those who had disembarked to rejoin the train, the guard then waited until these commuters could reboard the train in another slightly less crowded carriage.
The train as a consequence was the late and all on board were inconvenienced, in terms of consideration for others those who disembarked to allow this woman to load her status symbol bulldozer and the guard get a 10.
In terms of lack of consideration for others the woman with the monster pram goes off any measurable scale.

[colinw]

When my daughter was little, we had two prams.  One was a reasonable size, and comfortable for her to sleep in, with a shade hood, etc.  The other was a small & basic stroller sort of thing.  That was what we took on the train.  Used it on the tram in Melbourne as well - no problem at all.  The bigger one would have been a pain on public transport, so we only used it when driving.

IMHO there is a lot of bollocks these days about various groups having some sort of "right" to inconvenience everyone.  Not so.  Being a parent is a perfectly normal part of life which the vast majority of people go through at some stage of their life - and it does not exempt you from common courtesy.

[haakon]

On PT I used a backpack carrier. Much easier getting on and off, the kids also loved the view.

[BribieG]

From what I see hereabouts, the big three wheelers came into vogue as jogger-strollers a few years ago where mum or dad could go jogging and push the pram at the same time, hence the Massey Ferguson sized wheels. Joggers seem to be far less common nowadays but the big prams seem to be entrenched. Looking at that photo in the CM, the hefty mother and her pram combined would have to be the size of a shetland pony, you have to look hard to see the baby 
So what's wrong with a baby sling like we had in my hippy days 

[Cam]

Could cyclists also claim discrimination in peak times when bicycles are not allowed on trains?

[ozbob]

Could cyclists also claim discrimination in peak times when bicycles are not allowed on trains?

No.   http://www.adcq.qld.gov.au/Brochures07/exempt.html