UPDATE: fall 2013 (July 2014 - no changes) CTA has decided to stay with the same policy as described within this post, BUT to actually 'enforce' the Stroller policy - so far its been kinda, sorta enforced, but still a big issue - let us know what your experiences have been - and also contact CTA customer service regarding the CTA Stroller Policy...
As we are advocating for CTA to reinstate there previous Baby Stroller Policy of that they must be folded before entering CTA vehicles. We wanted to remind and share the current policy and the video CTA previously released. If our fellow CTA riders that use Baby Strollers actually respected the current policy, and there fellow passengers we would not have the current out of control issues with Baby Strollers blocking Aisles or using Priority Seating, which effects People with Disabilities and Seniors, and all CTA customers on a daily basis.
If you have any pictures or videos of 'Strollers' blocking aisles, using priority seating that is intended for People with Disabilities (of all ages), please feel free to share to be posted. send to jimwatkins@abilitychicago.info
YouTube Uploaded by CTAConnections on Mar 18, 2011
The CTA values all of its customers...from babies to senior citizens and everyone in between. Here's a reminder on the safest way to travel the CTA with children in strollers. A little common sense and courtesy can improve the riding experience for all customers.
For The CTA visit : http://www.transitchicago.com/
For 'Accessibility' on CTA : CLICK HERE
updated July 2013
For all posts on "Carts, Luggage, or Strollers" : CLICK HERE
For previous posts on the CTA Stroller policy (& lack of enforcement): CLICK HERE
Please remember to leave any comments or thoughts for this post. TY
As we are advocating for CTA to reinstate there previous Baby Stroller Policy of that they must be folded before entering CTA vehicles. We wanted to remind and share the current policy and the video CTA previously released. If our fellow CTA riders that use Baby Strollers actually respected the current policy, and there fellow passengers we would not have the current out of control issues with Baby Strollers blocking Aisles or using Priority Seating, which effects People with Disabilities and Seniors, and all CTA customers on a daily basis.
If you have any pictures or videos of 'Strollers' blocking aisles, using priority seating that is intended for People with Disabilities (of all ages), please feel free to share to be posted. send to jimwatkins@abilitychicago.info
If you would share your thoughts in the comment section below it would be appreciated. TY - Jim----
YouTube Uploaded by CTAConnections on Mar 18, 2011
The CTA values all of its customers...from babies to senior citizens and everyone in between. Here's a reminder on the safest way to travel the CTA with children in strollers. A little common sense and courtesy can improve the riding experience for all customers.
Children in strollers (*fall 2013)
Children in open strollers are welcome on CTA, however we encourage parents to be considerate of other customers and adhere to these rules when traveling with a stroller.
Keep strollers clear of aisles and doorways aboard buses and trains.
Seniors and customers with disabilities have priority use of the Priority Seating area aboard buses and trains. If these seats are not in use, open strollers may be parked in this area. This will help you to avoid blocking the aisle. Please yield this space if a customer with disabilities, a senior, or a person using a mobility device wishes to board. On buses, you may request use of the access ramp or lift to help you board and exit.
Please fold your stroller in the event that a bus or train becomes crowded, in order to make room for others. Be aware that in the event that a bus or train is crowded, a CTA employee may ask you to fold your stroller or wait for another vehicle. Please follow their instructions. Also, during certain periods of high ridership, we may require that all strollers be folded before you board.
Children in an open stroller should be seated and secured in the stroller before boarding the bus or train.
Note that strollers are never allowed on escalators. If traveling with an open stroller in a multi-level facility, please use elevators or ramps where available. On train station platforms, position your stroller parallel to the platform edge (not facing it), use wheel locks/brakes and stay with it at all times.
For The CTA visit : http://www.transitchicago.com/
For 'Accessibility' on CTA : CLICK HERE
updated July 2013
For all posts on "Carts, Luggage, or Strollers" : CLICK HERE
For previous posts on the CTA Stroller policy (& lack of enforcement): CLICK HERE
Please remember to leave any comments or thoughts for this post. TY
10 comments:
I am tired of tripping over the strollers, when there in the aisle - the parent then sits in priority seating with there other kids or they put the seat up for the stroller, packed with shopping, laundry, and more, and parents still sit in the rest of priority seating - UGH. I need to sit, I have a hard time standing at my age, as well as others do. I agree CTA should do something.
I've seen it all. The problem is BIG and BAD.
What ever happened to that "Survey" CTA was doing to observe the issue? I'm sure no problems were seen or observed.
Hi Jim,
The CTA has allowed the problem with strollers to have no control, many of the people that ride the bus/trains act like they should be have special service and be able to block the aisles, take over the area for disabled and elderly. It seems the City of Chicago and CTA just do not care about the situation. I agree they need to go back to the policy that all strollers must be folded up.
Good Luck, and see you next month.
Frank S.
Hi, Jim,
I tried riding CTA last summer instead of using paratransit all the time. It has been a few years since I tried the bus, there were some nice improvements, the announcements, the sign with the stops in the front of bus, NO STAIRS, but trying to have an available seat in the priority area was terrible. I could not belief the parents would bring there children on a bus with a stroller with there groceries packed in the stroller, and then the parent would take all the priority seats with the rest of there kids and act as if everyone else needs jump because there on the bus. Might be able to ride the bus for free, but I will keep paying on partransit so I can sit and not fall down because a seat is not available on the bus.
Is Stroellers included in the Federal Regulations for priority seating for disabled and seniors?
Mary from St Symphorosa Catholic Church
Mary
I hope all is well, I will be speaking over that way in August, looking forward to talk with you.
So to answer your question is Baby Strollers included in the Federal Regulations for Priority Seating area; for Priority Seating signage - no they are not, Mobility Aids for People with Disabilities (of any age) are included, but no Baby Strollers are not.
TY, Jim
No one I've seen with strollers obeys anything I saw in that video. They all either use the fold-up seat area, sit on the fold-up seat with the stroller in the aisle, or worst of all, stand in the aisle right behind the front door with the stroller in the aisle at the front of the bus, which blocks people getting on and off as it's the narrowest part of the bus.
Also, I was sitting in one of the priority seats a few weeks ago (I'm 65) and actually had a driver on the #26 South Shore Express bus ask me to move for a baby stroller, which I refused to do.
CTA has not done much with strollers in priority seating, they have the sign thats its for seniors and disabled, if strollers are not in priority seating, there blocking the aisles. At my age I shouldn't have to take up pole vaulting on a bus to be able to sit.
I am so tired of having parents with strollers feel the are 'entitled' to make us seniors stand so they can use all the seating CTA designates for us & handicapped. Having the entire aisles blocked in the front of buses by those big strollers that people use for shopping, laundry, etc. Some CTA drivers try, but then parents sometimes ignore and argue with the drivers.
We have been told that CTA will follow there own 'Stroller Policy'; but as always we all know its another empty promise. The City of Chicago/CTA will continue to make people to use paratransit with the lack of priority seating being made available to those it is intended for - people with disabilities.
Keep up the good fight, will continue to support. Frankie S.
I ran across your blog, after searching for CTA and baby strollers. As a CTA rider in the last couple of years after retiring, I find it appalling that seniors, & disabled that obviously need the CTA Priority Seating are treated so poorly by CTA policy. The Baby strollers that block bus aisle's so there is no access to seats, or to even stand past the front of the bus. There are many of our fellow CTA riders that understand, & offer there seats readily. It's amazing that parents with so largely oversized baby strollers feel entitled to make those that have a need to sit due to there age, or medical conditions. CTA drivers do at times intervene, but how much can they do to assist when those that manage, and make decisions at CTA either do not care, or are insensitive to CTA riders that have a need for the priority seating area for a save ride, or to even use public transit in Chicago.
Yvonne N.
retired CPS teacher
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