ON THE BUS! - Ville de Laval

STROLLERS
WITHOUT FUSS
Edition
2008
ON THE BUS!
Graphics
Illustrations
Printing
Authors
Writing
Professional reader
Co-authors
(in alphabetical order)
English translation
PARTNERS
Thank you to the members of the parents’ committee
for their efficient work throughout the production of
this booklet. Thanks to those parents committed to
the 1,2,3 GO! Initiatives in Longueuil, Pointe-de-l’Île,
Rivière-des-Prairies and Laval. Their concern for the
well-being of toddlers and their families will have a
positive impact on public transit users through the
distribution of this tool. Several other parents acted
as consultants in the production of this booklet, and
we also express our gratitude to them.
Passerelle bleue
Julie Fréchette
Komunikintramedia
Parents’ Committee (in alphabetical order)
Inès Espasandin, Julie Lavallée,
Jacinthe Perreault, Edith Robidoux,
Jacynthe Tremblay
Line Dufresne
Julie Lavallée
1,2,3 GO! Centre
Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL)
Société de transport de Laval (STL)
Société de transport de Montréal (STM)
STM
Particular recognition must be given to the three
transit companies participating in this project. The
Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL), the Société de transport de Laval (STL) and the Société
de transport de Montréal (STM) added their support
and expertise by validating the information contained in this tool. Their collaboration in this booklet
also enables them to make the population aware of
the services provided to families with toddlers in the
public transit milieu.
Particular thanks to the 1,2,3 GO! Centre for making
such an achievement possible for the benefit of families with young children.
FINANCIAL PARTNERS
We would like to thank the Fondation Lucie et André
Chagnon and Centraide for the funding provided to
the1,2,3 GO! Centre, the instigator of this project.
ISBN 978-2-923070-04-9
Legal Deposit - Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 2008
Legal Deposit – Library and Archives Canada, 2008
Reproduction in whole or in part by any means whatsoever is permitted
if the source is duly acknowledged.
The booklet Strollers without fuss on the bus in no way replaces regulations set out by individual transit corporations. Each person taking the bus with a child
must behave in a civil manner and is responsible for their own actions. The booklet’s authors and co-authors also decline all responsibility regarding any
consequences resulting from the attitude or behaviour exhibited by public transit users after reading this booklet.
If you travel with toddlers on public transit,
you know that certain situations are not
always what they seem!
This booklet offers solutions to help you
travel more easily on the bus with your
children. The objective of this guide is to
make your journey more efficient, and
certainly more pleasant.
A committee of parents, joined
by representatives from the
STM, the STL and the RTL, as
well as the 1,2,3 GO! Centre,
is working to make the use of
public transit easier for adults who travel
with young children, for example, by finding
solutions that enable them to travel safely
with a stroller in an open position.
A guide
full of tips
for me!
On the following pages you will
find tips and information to
make your travel easier.
Enjoy the ride!
3
CONTACTS
TRANSPORTATION:
IT’S ALSO FOR OUR
PRECIOUS LITTLE ONES
TRAv
RA EL ANd FAMILy
RAv
FAMIL
INFORMATION
A
ATTITU
dE
STROLLERS
How do I
manage
with my little ones,
my stroller,
my bags
and the bus?
course 101
a toddler begins
A pleasant trip with
things
ed. Here are some
with being organiz
th
wi
t
ou
fore starting
to consider even be
your children!
I have
To make sure
,
an easier trip
k:
?
ec
ed
ch
iz
an
so
rg
al
I can
Am I well o
]
[✔
yes NO
de rush
, making sure
tsi
ou
ds
an
err
my
n
I pla
the bus schedules

s.
wd
cro
they’re up-to-date
hour so as to avoid
le
du
he
my route
sc
the
I find out about
the transfers on

low
by
d
rve
bus shelters
and the lines se 1
the availability of
.
M)
floor buses (ST
on the routes I use
st
mo
the
t
ou
ce offered
I find out ab

the delivery servi
te.
rou
res and
s
advantageou
by various grocery sto
nimum
mi
e
at
for
be
pharmacies, either
I check the weather

lugging
ing
.
ild
or no cost, thus avoid
travelling with my ch
toddlers’
around extra bags
I take into account my

to
n
pla
n
meal times, and I ca
during the
have nap their time
trip.
✍ I’m
organized.
Now I can
travel!
ARE THERE OTHER OP
TIONS BESIdE
ES
S A STROLLER?
Car seat
(shell)
1
Kangaroo-type
carrier
Front baby
carrier
Three years from now, the RTL will be using only low-floor buses. 4
Back baby
carrier
Here are some attractive
options for your trips. Visit reta
ilers to find more about the
m.
Each of these options has
its
advantages. You simply hav
e
to find the one that best me
ets
your needs. Be sure to put
your
baby’s safety first!
Able to be manoeuvered and steered
with one hand • A free hand is always
helpful.
Equipped with brakes that can be
applied with your foot • For safety
purposes, as this prevents the stroller
from rolling in the aisle during the trip.
Umbrella stroller:
RANKEd
NUMBER ONE
Slim, light and foldable, it meets the
criteria mentioned above. It comes
with a firm reclining seat or a seat
in the form of a flexible hammock.
It is sometimes equipped with a
sunshade or even a basket under
the seat. It will quickly become very
useful. It eliminates the problem of
hanging bags on the back of the
stroller, which is dangerous and can
unbalance the stroller. From a safety
standpoint, the umbrella stroller can
be used when the baby is capable
of sitting up by itself and has sufficient muscle strength (around six
months).
Conforms to current safety standards
• It is from a recognized retailer and
includes a warranty.
Equipped with a simple to use safety
belt • To be able to easily buckle or
unbuckle your child.
Solid and sturdy • Aluminum is very
good, more resistant than plastic.
Adaptable to the Quebec climate •
The material is waterproof, washable
and comfortable for your child.
Adjustable to the proper height •
To avoid back and arm pain, or other
problems.
5
STROLLERS
A
ATTITU
dE
Easy to fold and unfold with one
hand • If the stroller has to be folded
up before boarding the bus.
INFORMATION
Light and less than 56 centimetres
wide • To move around more easily
aboard the bus.
TRAv
RA EL ANd FAMILy
RAv
FAMIL
The model of your stroller
becomes very important on the
bus. The purchase should be
considered as an investment.
Here are some characteristics of
THE stroller of choice:
CONTACTS
A PRACTICAL STROLLER IS SMART!
Being respectful is so much
better!
Here are some tips to help you when travelling on the bus so that
everything remains harmonious despite annoyances. Don’t forget that
your children will mimic your behaviour!
You can also see if there’s a pictogram,
which identifies seats reserved for people
with reduced mobility. You can enforce your
rights:
“Excuse me, I’d like to sit down with my
little one. The pictogram indicates that
this is my right.”
1. POLITENESS
ANd COURTESy
Greet the bus driver when you get on the
bus. It’s a simple, approachable gesture that’s
always appreciated, particularly when accompanied by a smile. You can also have
your toddler do the same. The next time
you use the bus, this driver may recognize
you, and a polite exchange will develop little
by little.
3. IN THE CASE OF FRICTION
WITH THE dRIvER OR
ANOTHER PASSENGER
Stay calm in order to handle the situation
effectively. A handy tip is to speak without
accusing the other person. One way of doing this is to use the word “I” in anything
you say. If, for example, a passenger lashes
out at you:
“Your stroller is taking up too much room!
We can’t move!”
You can respond: “I understand that you
are inconvenienced by the stroller. Me
too. I can squeeze over a bit, or you can
change seats if you wish?”
2. RESPECT FOR yOUR RIGHTS
Ask for a seat. If you get on the bus with a
stroller and your little one, and you want to
sit down, ask to do so! People are sometimes simply distracted. Perhaps they don’t
even see you. You must therefore speak to
them:
“Hello! As you can see, I’m pretty loaded
down. It would help me a lot if I could
have this seat.”
The odds are that the person will give you
the seat.
Be assured, positive and
breathe slowly! Good manA positive
ners are contagious, even
attitude
on public transit!
radiates
If, however, the person ignores you or refuses,
you can repeat the request.
“Excuse me, may I have this seat,
please?”
If this individual does not give up the seat,
it’s very likely that someone else will offer
you a place.
to everyone
around you.
6
“For my part, I learned to appreciate
when I had a transfer to make. It let my
little one stretch a bit!”
“No large diaper bag on the bus for me! I
use a knapsack. There are several models
on the market now. I opted for the one
that is worn diagonally across the chest,
a cross between a backpack and a diaper
bag. My back is thanking me. Also, I carry
only what’s absolutely necessary, including a snack.”
“I play ‘Taking the bus’. I ask my child all
sorts of questions about public transit and
the surroundings. I also take advantage of
the trip to point out that there are all sorts
of people around us and that everyone is
different. I think this can be educational.”
“The best thing I did was to move close
to services and conveniences. Once I was
close to a grocery store, pharmacy and
medical clinic, my trips were a lot easier.
I also took into account the location of my
children’s day care.”
“Never rest the bag on the stroller itself.
I saw a person do this, and the little one
toppled over in its stroller.”
“My trick is to distract my child during the
wait and the trip. I bring books and read
stories to my toddler. I sometimes bring
puppets or even my MP3 player to share
my love of classical music with my little
one. When my child is calm, everything
runs much more smoothly!”
“I walk as early in the season as I can,
and I always walk in the summer. For
longer trips, I use my bike and trailer.
This helps keep me in shape, get fresh
air, and I help the environment!”
7
STROLLERS
ATTITUdE
“For me, simply having my ticket ready
ahead of time and then getting off by the
back door makes my life less complicated!”
INFORMATION
“I realized that I did myself a favour by
not buying a deluxe three-wheel stroller.
I never would have been able to move
around on the bus. The travel system
stroller with the car seat would also have
been very bulky. Three cheers for the
umbrella stroller!”
“I quickly encouraged my little one to
walk by saying: ‘You’re so big now! You
don’t need a stroller any more. Good for
you!’”
TRAv
RA EL ANd FAMILy
RAv
FAMIL
Several transit users have had
experience on the bus! Here are
their tips to get you started.
CONTACTS
Thanks
for the
advice!
FROM ONE
PARENT
TO ANOTHER
RULES ARE IMPORTANT!
AS A SAFETy MEASURE, BUS dRIvERS...
can ask you to position
your stroller so that the child
is facing the back of the bus,
in case of abrupt braking.
can also ask you to go
to the section of the bus
reserved for strollers (if applicable), where you can
lift up the bus seat, and for
maximum security, apply the
brakes and hold on tight to
your stroller.
must concentrate on
driving the bus. They are not
always in a position to leave
their post, despite certain
situations where you might
want their help.
require exact payment
for your passage, as they do
not have cash in their
possession. Nor do
they have access to
the box in which you
deposit your cash.
must continue on their
route, even if you are running
to catch the bus. Driving a
bus is very different from
driving a car. There are
several distinctions including
blind spots and an adapted
braking system.
are authorized to ask you
to fold up your stroller on the
bus, if they think it’s appropriate. In case of emergency or
evacuation, the stroller must
not be in the way.
can allow a maximum of
60 passengers on a regular
bus and 90 people on an
articulated vehicle (accordion).
FOR PRACTICAL REASONS ANd TO RESPECT THE SCHEdULE,
IT IS RECOMMENdEd THAT USERS...
arrive at the bus stop five
minutes ahead of time. (Bus
drivers have the flexibility of
being one minute ahead or
two minutes behind the published schedule.)
board the bus by the front
door, pay the fare, and use
the rear door to get off the
vehicle.
8
clearly indicate their
intention to board the bus.
Get up and move towards the
vehicle as it approaches. Also,
to avoid confusion, be sure
to stand in front of the bus
stop itself or directly in front
of the bus shelter.
To find out more about packages and rates, visit the official site at
www.communauto.com
or call 514.842.4545 in the
Greater Montréal area.
The
transportation
cocktail is
worth its
weight
in gold!
duo
uo Auto+Bus
By agreeing to purchase 12 monthly passes for bus travel from certain transit companies
and joining Communauto, you save! You don’t have to pay the Communauto membership
fees, and you also receive discounts on your transit fare. This is a winning combination,
and other options are available to meet your needs. For more information, to find out
which transit company offers this service and for specific rates, visit
www.communauto.com/auto+bus_eng.html or call 514.842.4545
9
STROLLERS
This is a car-sharing service
offered in several regions of
Quebec. More than 200 cars
spread over some one hundred parking lots are ready
to serve thousands of people
each year. All the vehicles are
equipped with fittings for car
seats, and some 10% of them
already have seats available.
Smoking is not permitted in
the vehicles. By enrolling, you
are automatically covered by
insurance, and you don’t have
to get a licence plate.
A
ATTITU
dE
As of 2007, you can apply
for a tax credit of up to
$180 on your income
tax form (monthly pass
of $100 for 12 months X
15%). With the arrival of
the rechargeable OPUS
card, you simply have
to keep your receipts
as proof of purchase!
Weekly passes can also
save you money. Certain
conditions apply. Visit the
Canada Revenue Agency
at www.cra.gc.ca
(www.transitpass.ca)
or call 1.800.665.0354
for more details.
How to proceed:
LSubscribe for one year or
more
LReserve a car 24 hours in
advance
LPick up the vehicle at a
specific location (departure point)
LCarry out your trips
LReturn the car (to the departure point)
LReceive an invoice at the
end of the month, which
will credit you for your
gas purchases, already
included in the price.
INFORMATION
Communauto
TRAv
RA EL ANd FAMILy
RAv
FAMIL
TAX CREdIT
CONTACTS
dId yOU KNOW...?
Eco-info, Econo-info
By using public transit we are committing ourselves to sustainable development. We are contributing to the withdrawal
of cars from the road and participating in the reduction of
greenhouse gases.
the automobile
Responsible for 40%
of greenhouse gas
emissions (1)
Noise pollution
Loss of green spaces to
road construction
Stress and fatigue
from the concentration
required for driving
Loss of time
Traffic jams resulting in
costs of $750 million/
year (1)
GREENER BUSES!
EPA-approved
engines
New mufflers,
minimizing noise
Use of
Biodiesel
Little
effort
to do
your part!
Asbestos-free
brake linings
New
isocyanatefree paint
Energy-saving
programs
Free
commuter
parking lots
Bus shelter
seats,
made from
recycled
materials
En étant usagère, je prends le virage vert!
Savings
($8000
per year) (2)
(1)
(2)
Recovering
time to read,
eat and even
sleep
Participating
in pollution
reduction
Improved
physical
and mental
health
Time savings:
reserved
lanes for
buses
Équiterre Internet site www.equiterre.org 514.522.2000
based on the fact that the average annual cost in 2007 for a car travelling 18 000 kilometres was more than $9,000 and that the
estimated cost of a bus pass for a complete year is $800..
10
STROLLERS
Réseau
de transport
de Longueuil
OPEN STROLLERS HAvE BEEN PERMITTEd
SINCE OCTOBER 2005
9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and after 7:00 p.m., and
on Saturdays and Sundays.
LStrollers are positioned in an area located near
the rear door on the low-floor buses and near
the centre door on the low-floor articulated
buses
A
ATTITU
dE
LThey are permitted from Monday to Friday from
well as safe for both the child and the other
passengers on the vehicle, without hindering
people’s ability to move around in the bus.
IN CERTAIN CASES, THE RTL ALSO ALLOWS PASSENGERS
TO GET OFF BETWEEN TWO STOPS!
INFORMATION
LThis measure is designed to be useful as
authorized to allow a person travelling alone at night
after dark to get off between two bus stops.
LThis practice is designed to ensure the safety of
clients at nightfall.
LA person wishing to get off between two stops must
ask the bus driver one stop ahead and must also get
off by the front door.
TRAvEL ANd FAMILy
LSince September 2004, RTL bus drivers are
provides to its clientele.
450.463.0131
www.rtl-longueuil.qc.ca
11
CONTACTS
LThe RTL is thus adding to the security that it already
Société
de transport
de laval
HAvE A GOOd TRIP
WITH A BABy
IN A STROLLER
ASSISTANCE FROM
THE BUS dRIvER
There are no rules on this subject. Bus drivers must, first and foremost, concentrate
on their driving and on the safety of all
passengers. For this reason, bus drivers
are not always in a position to leave their
post to offer assistance.
A parent can travel with a baby in a stroller
at all times on Société de transport de
Laval buses. To make the trip a pleasant
one, certain rules must be respected:
LDuring rush hours, from 6:00 a.m.
to 9:00 a.m., and from 3:00 p.m. to
7:00 p.m., when our buses are usually
crowded, we recommend that you fold
up the stroller and carry your baby in
your arms when getting on board. These
rush hour restrictions do not apply on
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
LFor the baby’s safety and that of other
passengers, you must avoid blocking
the centre aisle. Thus, we can ensure
the free flow of passengers and the
baby’s safety. That’s the law!
LIn low-floor buses, the baby must be
buckled up in its stroller with the brakes
on and facing towards the rear of the
vehicle.
LA space is reserved in most buses near
the rear doors where strollers can be
positioned for a completely safe trip.
GETTING OFF BETWEEN TWO
STOPS AFTER 8:00 P.M.
Safety is important for the STL and its
bus drivers. Women who are travelling
alone can get off BETWEEN TWO STOPS
on a regular route after 8 00 p.m. If the
bus drivers feel that they can safely stop
their vehicle at the requested location,
they will be pleased to accommodate
your request.
Weekends and holidays
A paying parent
= FREE
A maximum of three children
aged 11 or under
www.stl.laval.qc.ca
450.688.6520
12
STROLLERS
Société
de transport
de montréal
THE STM ANd FAMILIES
AMONG THE ACTIONS
TAKEN FOR FAMILIES By
THE STM THAT ARE WORTH
NOTING ARE:
In addition, the STM is currently carrying
out tests in order to improve service for
parents using strollers.
A
ATTITU
dE
Montréal offers a quality public transit network that benefits everyone including families.
LFree travel for children aged five and
L
172 bus routes in operation
during the day
L
20 routes in operation at night
L
68 métro stations spread over
4 lines
INFORMATION
A FEW NUMBERS:
under as well as reduced fares for children aged 6 to 11, students aged 12 to
18 and students aged 18 to 25 residing
in Montréal
LSchool service: increased service on certain bus routes during school opening
and closing hours
LShuttles for day camps: in 2006, the
bus network carried out 590 trips
LActivity programs for children during
events, featuring, among other things,
Urbain, the STM’s mascot
LThe Between Two Stops service enabling
women and girls travelling alone to get
off the bus between two stops at night,
closer to their homes
LSecurity measures strengthened in the
métro and on the buses: surveillance
cameras and a police presence
LShuttle services and increased service
for major family-oriented events
some 1 million trips per day
L
Nearly all Montrealers can
access public transit within
500 metres of their residence.
CONTACTS
STM-INFO (514.786.4636)
www.stcum.qc.ca
TRAvEL ANd FAMILy
L
363 million trips in 2006, or
13
Free services, delighted users
This type of help is very handy. Here you’ll
find all the bus stops, the walking distance
and the approximate time required for
your trip. From a specific departure point
to a specific arrival point, you’ll obtain
details of the best route to your destination, including transfers. Each travel
segment required for your trip including
walking times are included. Up to three
itineraries are provided. In short, you’re
guided step by step!
By calling customer servi
service, visiting online sites
or by going directly
to a ticket counter,
you will discover lots
of very useful information
on travelling by bus!
specific schedules for all buses
time of arrival at terminals and at
certain stops
maps of bus routes, including a list of
the main public places served
HERE ARE OTHER SERvICES
TO BE AWARE OF.
ASK ABOUT THEM!
list of stops with a bus shelter
list of transit fare point-of-sale locations
LPublic taxis
LParatransit
LIntegrated school transportation
LTrains and métro
LRegulations
LTypes of vehicles used and on which
the most efficient routes and itineraries
for your trips, available on-line
L « Tous azimut » (STM)
L « Navigo » (STL)
L « Trouvez votre itinéraire » (RTL)
routes they run (STM and STL)
Note: three years from now, the RTL
will be using only low-floor buses.
LBus rental
LFares
Children under six years of age accompanied by an adult travel for free.
GO TO
THE RIGHT STOP,
ANd TAKE THE BEST
ROUTE!
(See the following page
for contact information!)
14
Société de transport de Montréal
STM-INFO (514.786.4636)
www.stcum.qc.ca
Agence métropolitaine
de transport (AMT)
514.287.TRAM (8726)
www.amt.qc.ca
The AMT’s role is to integrate the
networks and the fares. The AMT
operates the commuter trains and
metropolitan express buses.
your
opinion
makes a
difference!
In addition, you must provide one of the
following three pieces of information:
Lthe number of the bus route, and/or
Lthe number of the bus involved (displayed
above the front windshield), and/or
Lthe licence plate number of the bus
(optional)
You can pass on your comments using various
methods: telephone, email or in written form.
All inquiries are investigated.
It is important to provide your name and
contact information so that a report on the
follow-up can be sent to you. The information
will remain confidential.
15
STROLLERS
A
ATTITU
dE
INFORMATION
Société de transport de Laval
450.688.6520
www.stl.laval.qc.ca
To express your satisfaction or dissatisfaction,
you must note:
The date (day, month, year)
The time (hour and minutes)
The location (streets, intersection,
borough)
The direction in which the bus was
going
TRAv
RA EL ANd FAMILy
RAv
FAMIL
Réseau de transport de Longueuil
450.463.0131
www.rtl-longueuil.qc.ca
GO AHEAd. HAvE yOUR SAy!
Whether you’ve had a pleasant or unpleasant
experience, you can, or even should, report it.
These compliments or complaints are of great
value to the transit companies’ management.
Supervisors follow up with the bus drivers,
enabling them to train personnel and make
sure the service is running properly.
CONTACTS
communication