Babies can stay in their strollers while they ride the bus

Babies can stay in strollers on Sudbury Transit buses, at least for the next year, following a recent vote by the city's operations committee.

The trial policy allows caregivers to use fold-up seats on buses, seats intended for people in wheelchairs. Infants must be strapped in, facing the rear of the bus and the brakes on the strollers must be engaged. Caregivers must also keep a firm hold on the stroller. The policy applies only to strollers that are 24x48 inches or smaller, and only if a person with disabilities doesn't need the seat.

Roger Sauve, director of Transit and fleet services, said the new policy follows a formal request in April from the city's Sustainable Mobility Advisory Panel.

Research is inconclusive in regard to what is safer, Sauve said, so they agreed to try the new rules for the trial period.

The policy still must be formally approved by city council next month. It will be reviewed after a year by city staff, councillors and members of the advisory committee.