Mountain Buggy or Steelcraft Strider on Melbourne Trams?

[Chippy]

Hi Folks,
Wondering if any Melbourne folk ever venture onto the tram with a 68cm wide pram? AFAIK both the Strider and Mountain Buggy are this wide.

The Strider is the perfect pram for us but I'm just a bit concerned about getting it onto those trams with the middle rails in the doorways. I've noticed several women struggle and give up but it was before I was in the market and I didn't notice what kind of prams they were.

We won't be taking a pram on the tram everyday but we're inner city folk and try hard not to rely too much on our car.

Anyone got any experience? TIA

[dust]

hmm yeah id be wondering too.. more luck on the train than the trams (cant stand trams).. altho the new bumblee bee trams look a bit more spacey & pram friendly hope they roll more of them out soon! when in doubt fold it up and just carry it on (provided you have someone with you)

while bub is still tiny and not so heavy why not use a sling or carrier?

[sunshine_sieben]

I have the Strider (4 wheel) and loooove it. However, it is on the heavy side and pretty wide. I wouldn't want to have to be taking it on and off trams too much. But then again, I wouldn't want to with any pram. might I suggest using a carrier (like an Ergo) or sling for when you're taking public transport. That would be my preferred option, it's what I did when travelling in Europe. But it might not suit everyone.
Sasa

[Chippy]

Thanks for your thoughts.

We live too close to the city for trains which is generally really great for us but not in terms of prams it would seem.

I'm definitely a fan of carriers - and intend to rely heavily on an ergo but there will be times where I'll have to catch the tram to the supermarket and I don't fancy carrying a heavy bub with 2 or 3 bags of groceries too. That's partially why I love the Strider - it has such a great big basket.

But it's not like we'll be catching a tram everyday and I really want the Strider so unless someone can come up with a life or death reason, I think I'm kidding myself to think I can be talked out of it!

[~Raven~]

How do people in wheelchairs get into trams? I would have thought they were wider than prams!

[QueenMab]

I have a strider 4 & it really is huge - we don't drive at all though so it is really getting a workout & I am glad it is so big & sturdy. It's easy on trains, impossible on buses & I wouldn't fancy taking it on a tram - only time we've been on one so far I used the ergo - even if you could manage to get it on there they seem to fill up pretty quick & the strider takes up a fair amount of room. I am actually thinking of getting a stroller for times when I don't want to use the ergo for some reason but we need to use PT. (Oh, DP just told me he thinks you would get the strider on the tram because one of the doors, either at the fron or the back, doesn't have the metal bit in the middle?! I personally have no clue...)
I wouldn't change my choice of pram 'cause the strider really is so sturdy & I LOVE the baby facing me option (& so does she) but you can't take it into little shops & need to use the wider checkout in the supermarket - okay usually but if it's not open there can be issues!! One idea for shopping/the tram could be the ergo & a granny trolley?! I have me a granny trolley & haven't used it in yonks but am thinking of dusting the cobwebs off it.

Good luck! (I don't think I've been any help whatsoever lol, Sorry!!)

[HotI]

How do people in wheelchairs get into trams? I would have thought they were wider than prams!

Hi

Trams suck for wheelchair users! On the old ones with the bar in the middle of the stairs at the door, a wheelchair won't fit in between the bar and where the door opens to. The person must 'bum' up the stairs, and get a mate to lift the chair above the height of the bar.

They are building more of the ramp tram stops, especially in Melbourne CBD, and this has at last allowed wheelchair users to independently enter a tram.

Trains are better, although depending on the height of the platform compared to the train height the wheelchair user may need the use of a ramp, which means requiring the driver to get the ramp for person to enter train and hopefully remember the stop the person wants at the end to get the ramp out again. Luckily in Victoria, all train stations are wheelchair accessible (not so for Sydney last time i visited).

cheers,

k

[Chippy]

One idea for shopping/the tram could be the ergo & a granny trolley?! I have me a granny trolley & haven't used it in yonks but am thinking of dusting the cobwebs off it.

Genius! Of course That's the answer! Thank you.

I'm wondering now though - I liked the 4 wheeler better but maybe when hoisting onto the tram (that i can actually fit on) a 3 wheeler is easier. What do you clever folks think?

[fionas]

Hi Chippy

I have a Strider 4 wheeler and have the choice of trains or trams where I am. There is NO way I would even contemplate trying to get the Strider on a tram but we have the old-fashioned trams with the steps and bar in the entrance rather than the low-down, wide entrance of the newer trams.

I think it would be REALLY difficult to lug the Strider up the steps, especially if you've got to grab someone's attention to help you get on and off.

Personally, I'd use a carrier while they're very little and then get a really cheap, lightweight easy-fold stroller for tram trips. Then you have the option of carrying your baby and folding the stroller before you get on the tram.

[ajw0108]

sorry - my real response is below

[ajw0108]

*ahem* Me again..... My real response is below.

[ajw0108]

Hi Chippy

Our pram (Roger Armstrong Elfin2) is the lightest/smallest and cheapest (ie pretty plasticy ? we like it but don?t expect it to last forever!) 3 wheeler we could find & we got it specifically because it could go on the older trams. It is only 8kg and about 60cm at the widest point & it fits between the railing at the front and middle doors on the old Richmond trams, but from memory (we've moved to New Tram Lands eg 109 & 16 & 72), there isn't loads of room either side....I?m not even sure there would be an extra 8cm.

I have never travelled solo on the older trams because the thought of lugging it up or lifting it on - especially with a new bub - was a bit too much! The sling was invaluable!! Though if you're stuck & have no alternative but to take the pram on the tram, in my experience, people are very obliging as far as helping give you a lift.

The 3 wheeler we have can just tip back to get the front wheel on the new trams. The only comment I have on 3 wheels vs 4 wheels is that sometimes the front wheel gets a bit spinny if it's not locked and can make it slightly more awkward to wheel smoothly on. Not the end of the world but I imagine a 4 wheeler would avoid this 'issue' altogether.


HTH,

Amy.