Experience with prams on trams in melbourne?

Have a one month old and no pram currently (use a HAB) but looking at buying one when she is 3 months because she is growing so big and HAB not great for all occasions (e.g when out for a long time or when eating out - she ended up with crumbs on her head from my brunch this morning!). So has anyone got good or bad experiences with particular prams - the number 70 stops right outside our door so I could well carry her onto the tram with pram separate and just use pram other end. At moment thinking of maclaren quest (5.5kg and 48cm wide) but would be interested in hearing any experiences.

I always help people with prams, so if you see me on a tram I'll give you a hand!!!

Whatever you do don't get a Mountain Buggy. We bought one (absolutely love it) but it wont fit up the steps on the tram. Stupid me never thought about that aspect when buying a pram so now we always use a sling. Good luck!

Have a look at the Baby Jogger City Mini. I think it would be pretty good for use on the trams. Check out their website: bjstrollers dot com dot au

The Inglesina Zippy folding stroller is ACE. It folds and unfolds so easily with one hand.

I avoided the pram/tram combo when I lived in Melbourne, used carriers instead. I had a chicco backpack carrier (I don't recommend that specific brand, but there are others like it that are better.) that I quite liked to use if we were tramming anywhere.

hi, i find 4 wheelers easier to get on the trams when opened up. This is bc it is hard to balance the pram on its front wheel when getting on the tram. The new trams are g8. No problems getting on or off, just make sure you use the middle doors. I made a mistake of getting on the first door thinking the driver's there etc but it was such a tight squeeze and no room for pram and others wanting to get on. Big mistake. The middle doors are lovely, very wide and plenty of room to park the pram once on. Have never dared using the older trams as they have 2 steps. There's no way i could manage that. I have peg pilko, never used it folded up. I am only petite, so would not be able to manage holding bubs and stroller and nappy bag.

I have a Phil and Ted and have used it on both the flat entrance trams (the new ones) and the older ones with the steps. I have only taken it on the older trams when I have someone with me to help me get it up the stairs. It fits in the doors ok. It is fine getting the pram onto the flat entrance prams by myself - when I am on my own I always wait for a flat tram as I just never know if someone will stop to help me.

Anything that is skinny IMO!

I have had 2 diff 3wheelers and both are not good for the old style trams!

i have a bugaboo and it works quite well. nothing will be that easy to get on the older trams, but the thing to consider when you are possibly needing to use a pram on one is the width of the pram and the weight.
the other thing is whether you envision taking baby out of pram and picking pram up, or keeping baby in pram and lifting them up onto the tram...

i *think* that it would be easier to have a stroller for tram usage as you can then organise your bags etc and put bubs in carrier (or on hip) then pick up the stroller and carry it on as well.
of course this option can be tricky if you have heaps of shopping, or bubs is asleep.

personally i have taken a deep breath each time and used the bugaboo and have managed ok on my own on the older trams (we NEVER get the awesome flat trams :rolleyes:). the only thing that can be hazardous are the pneumatic tyres getting 'stuck' under the bottom step of the tram (this is when the tyres havent been pumped in ages and DD and shopping weighs a tonne). i had this happen twice in the last 18 months and for that second it can be scary!

you'll usually find that people can help you up, going down the stairs is way easier!

Thanks for the replies - lots to think about. I think we will continue using slings as much as possible and look to get a maclaren that is suitable from three months, then if going out on the tram depending on what we are doing, can take the stroller collapsed on the tram (as it stops right outside) until get to destination.

Hi,
Cassius2 did you take the Bug on the old trams rear tyre first? I am a bit worried about taking my Bugaboo on the tram.
Thanks

Pkaby: yeah i go up 'backwards' with the bug. so use the rear tires to bounce up the stairs. this way it is usually easier for ppl to help you as well. my bit of advice is to make sure that you use the middle doors. although the bug fits through the front and rear it is a tight turn once you get to the top. whereas with the middle it is easier to just reverse until you get to the opposite door and then you can just stay there mostly out of the way of other commuters.

HTH!

I have used my Maclaren Vogue on the trams quite a bit. I agree a carrier is a lot easier when getting on and off, but sometimes you just need the stroller! It is light, small-ish and great to push. If i am getting on an old tram and need a hand, i just stick my head in the door and say "Can anyone help me please?" Always get lots of help! :D

I have had my 4 month old in it since she was born pretty much. It has a NB head support, and we haven't had any problems at all.

I ended up getting a Maclaren Vogue last week - so is good to know Falguni that you find it ok on trams - haven't tried it yet but will soon. I was going to get the Quest, but after feeling the difference in weight (hardly anything) decided the Vogue with the slightly larger more robust looking wheels, the higher handles, footmuff(good for going back to cold UK for holiday) etc with hardly any price difference was a better deal. I love the way it pushes, really easy to push one handed, and nice and light (as keep in boot of car as live in first floor apartment) and fits in our Corolla. I am finding the buckle a little stiff to undo sometimes - is that just because its new, does it loosen up - Falguni was yours similar?

the buckle does loosen over time as does the foot releases to fold up.

I love my vogue havent used on trams yet. As we havent used public transport yet since DS was born.

do you mean the seatbelt buckle? From memory ours was quite stiff, but we've had it for almost 2 years and it is great now. :D

Yep I did mean the seatbelt buckle - is good to know will loosen up. I am a bit of a tram geek (got married on a tram) so will be trying it out on the old and new style trams this weekend I think.

Cassius2: Thanks for your response, I took my Bug on an old tram today and it was great! So easy and quick because of the large back wheels and suspension. Is there anything this pram can't do?! :)