MTA to install dedicated stroller spaces on over 1,000 NYC buses across 57 routes
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week announced it would begin the second phase of its Open Stroller Pilot, expanding its dedicated stroller spaces to over 1,000 buses on 57 routes across the five boroughs. The program will equip all local and select buses operating out of six bus depots with dedicated stroller spaces by the fall of 2023.
Image courtesy of the MTA on Flickr
As part of the pilot program, the dedicated spaces are located at either an open space near the bus’s rear door or in a space created by flipping up two side-by-side seats. Buses participating in the pilot program will be identifiable by a stroller decal on the bus’s exterior that customers can easily see as they board. Once inside the bus, the stroller space will be identified with the same decal.
Here are the bus routes that will feature an open stroller space:
- Brooklyn: B1, B3, B6/6 LTD, B36, B64, and B74.
- The Bronx: Bx6, Bx6 SBS, Bx8, Bx11, Bx17, Bx19, Bx21, Bx23, Bx27, Bx31, Bx32, Bx33, Bx35, Bx36/36LTD, Bx46
- Manhattan: M15, M31, M101, M102, M103, M125
- Queens: Q12, Q13, Q15, Q15A, Q16, Q20A, Q20B, Q26, Q28, Q31, Q32, Q44 SBS, Q48, Q50LTD, Q76
- Staten Island: S40, S42, S46, S48, S51, S52, S53, S66, S76, S81 LTD, S86 LTD, S90 LTD, S93 LTD, S96 LTD, S98 LTD
“This expansion is a win for bus customers. The Open Stroller Program has demonstrated that we can make buses more accessible to all customers while providing faster, cleaner, and safer service,” Richard Davey, President of NYC Transit, said.
“As we expand, more and more bus customers will benefit from enhanced accessibility, especially for parents and caregivers. I commend the months of hard work from the team at NYCT and the MTA’s Accessibility team to make this expansion possible.”
Image courtesy of the MTA on Flickr
While many parents and caregivers are rejoicing in anticipation of the stroller spaces, some NYC bus riders with disabilities have expressed unease. They’re concerned that the new stroller spaces could make it difficult for disabled New Yorkers, especially those with visual impairments, to navigate the bus freely without tripping on a stroller.
“I don’t wanna trip on the stroller. I don’t wanna hit someone’s stroller or baby with my cane,” Yasmin Campbell, Vice President of the American Council of the Blind of New York, told CBS News in January.
Campbell continued: “I want everybody to be safe on the bus, but just to be aware that, you know, there are different kinds of people riding the bus.”
Image courtesy of the MTA on Flickr
The MTA has gathered feedback from riders since the program kicked off last fall, receiving more than 200 comments about the stroller policy from New Yorkers. According to the feedback, four out of five riders support allowing open strollers on buses, as well as the expansion of the dedicated stroller space to more buses and routes.
Both bus operators and passengers have reported faster boarding experiences, more comfortable bus rides, and positive interactions with fellow passengers on the bus routes. As part of the program, bus operators were asked to report the number of times the stroller spaces were used, and over 4,000 strollers have been stowed since the beginning of the program.
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