By Minerva Ferrel

When my first child was born, I didn’t worry too much about getting around with her in the stroller. We lived in an apartment building above an underground shopping mall where we did our errands, and the building’s elevators and ramps made getting around a breeze. But after a few months, I was ready to venture further afield and I discovered, like so many parents, the perils of travelling by public transportation with a stroller. Getting in and out of metro stations required navigating long stairways, with no elevator available. Even getting onto a bus could be backbreaking work for a parent — unless some kind soul offered a helping hand.

Now, thanks to a local organization, parents can learn about the best way to use public transport with small children. The community group, known as 1, 2, 3, GO, tries to improve the lives of families. The group joined forces with public transportation agencies in the greater Montreal region and put together a pamphlet entitled “Strollers without Fuss on the Bus” that provides useful tips to help make travelling by public transportation less daunting.

The guide, which draws on advice from experienced parents, starts with a checklist to help parents get organized before they even leave the house. Suggestions include consulting bus and metro schedules carefully, trying to take platform buses (which have a ramp that allow easier access with a stroller) as well as avoiding rush hour. It also suggests the best kinds of stroller to use — ideally one that is lightweight and foldable.

The guide also offers tips on dealing with bus drivers as well as passengers, who might not think to offer up a seat to a harried parent. Finally, people will find ideas about how to keep little ones engaged and happy on bus and metro rides (for example, talk about the different stops, ask what the child sees or is feeling).

Public transportation is a less expensive and more environmentally friendly way to get around the city. With this guide, parents can find a way to make it fun and less physically challenging, even with little ones in tow.

To download the guide, visit www.centre123go.ca and click on the “Centre 1, 2,3 Go” square on the left-hand side. Then click on “Activities.” You’ll find the PDF file of the guide, available in both French and English.