Pushchairs in buses

Press, 2 May 1981, Page 14

Pushchairs in buses

Sir,—l write in outrage to ask the Christchurch Transport Board to explain its policy of refusing carriage of folded pushchairs inside buses at night. It cannot be for reasons of safety or inconvenience to other passengers as large packs, skis, etc., are permitted and certainly it is not because of overcrowding. It is, however, a source of great inconvenience and upset to people, usually women, who have no other means of transport. I saw "this happen last night and the driver appeared as nonplussed as the woman concerned. I would like to congratulate him for the level of courtesy and sensitivity he displayed for the woman’s plight. Individual concern, however, is not enough to make up for the inconvenience of bureaucratic rulings.— Yours, etc., TERRY CRAIG. April 10, 1981.

[Mr M. G. Taylor, General Manager, Christchurch Transport Board, replies: “Folding pushchairs, other than the very small “umbrella” types, cannot be accepted inside the board's buses because of the obstruction they cause in gangways. This leads to a high risk of damage to or soiling of passengers’ clothing and, in the event of an emergency, increases the risk of personal injury to an unacceptable degree. This policy is not new and is well known to regular bus users. The other items referred to can be accommodated on unused seats during off-peak times, thus placing them in a different category.”]