Subways & Strollers... what to expect?

This is my last question regarding NYC... I promise ;)

So, being that I am from Miami, we drive everywhere here (minus work- I take our version of a subway, without my child, and the elevators are reliable if I were to bring her). What can I expect when I am going to the city from Brooklyn via the subway (F train) and then taking it throughout the city? A co-worker of mine who just moved from NYC looked at me like I was crazy when I told him I'd be taking the subway with my toddler (and the stroller). Are there no elevators? Are they not safe?

Tags: nyc, strollers, subways, toddlers

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Permalink Reply by Jes on September 15, 2008 at 1:29pm: Strollers & the subway... the transit system here was a /huge/ consideration when picking out our stroller. You need something light & sturdy, preferably one that folds with one hand, so you can keep the little one close with the other.

There aren't elevators at every station, and where there are elevators they don't always work, and where they do work, they can be pretty nasty. This is the MTA's accessibility page for the subway system.

That said, I hop the subway a couple of times a week with my little guy, his stroller & (since he's still small enough) a carrier to put him in if we end up having to stand. (Sometimes we're lucky and someone will offer a seat, but we don't count on it.)

Buses, while they don't have as many steps to deal with, are just as much an issue as the subways (I had thought they'd be easier) since you have to fold your stoller & there's not as much room to get it out of the way.

If you are lucky enough to be going somewhere along the LIRR (Shea Stadium, for example) or MetroNorth (Bronx, Westchester County) I would suggest getting on those, thier stations are wheelchair/stroller accessable, and you don't have to take them out of the stroller to get on the train.

All in all, it's easier to get around the city via mass transit than car. I'd rather lug my baby & his gear up and down a million flights of stairs than trust him to a cabbie.

Lots of luck with your trip!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by lauralu on September 15, 2008 at 4:05pm: We spend a weekend a month in the city, and we have found the subways manageable as long as we carry only the essentials and use the superlight, one-hand-fold stroller. I wouldn't count on elevators working - they're pretty hit-or-miss.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Milena on September 16, 2008 at 9:52am: I am officially a little nervous! LOL! It will just be me and her on Thrusday all day. I am going to take her to the CMOM and then through Central Park, FAO Schwartz, Dylan's Candy Bar and probably the zoo.

Thanks so much for giving me the heads up. I will pack as light as I can for our all-day venture, and our stroller is the one on the attachement. It's kinda light and has a shoulder strap so hopefully everything will work out. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks again guys!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ContessaMia on October 17, 2008 at 5:21pm: Hi Milena,

I was just curious about how your trip to NYC went with your daughter? I have a 13 month old and just started working here - I live in Jersey and am thinking about bringing her in a couple days a week to a daycare in my buliding? Tell me how your commute went!

Thanks!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Milena on October 20, 2008 at 4:42pm: Hello... well, my trip was awesome and I love NYC. However, I'm not too sure how easy it would have been had I been traveling alone with my 30 month old in the subways. Luckily-- and I didn't expect it, but I wasn't alone whenever I was with her and the stroller. My sister and her girlfriend were around for pretty much every excursion we took. I will tell you that I had a gentleman offer me help at one point because he didn't notice that I was with someone else. So while there are people out there willing to give you a hand, I wouldn't depend on that if I were you. My best advice would be to have the lightest stroller possible with a carry strap so that you can swing it onto your shoulder and carry the baby with the other arm if need be. I wasn't there long enough to have to do that on my own, but I know that either way you put it-- it's not easy. You must travel extremely light so that you can manage the flights of steps as easily and as cautiously as possible. Also, April did mention that one of her friends does the bump down subway stairs. You can try it that way-- I didn't have to, but I would have had I been alone. The hardest part (w/help) is always going up.

Hope my bit of info helped, and if you do decide to try it-- let us know how it goes. Good luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Milena on October 20, 2008 at 4:47pm: One more thing-- try not to take the train during rush hour with baby. I was on the F train (not sure if your route would be less crowded) going into Brooklyn and there was no space for me to even turn around. I wasn't with the baby that particular time and was thankful that I wasn't! LOL.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by icoobaby2 on March 23, 2009 at 4:44am: Hello friends.I think you guys are discussing about strollers and their transport while traveling by subways.I want to share some useful information.I have my new Disney Pushchair for my baby.It very convenient to carry and handle it while we are out for shopping and picnics.It is very light weight and it folds compactly making it easy to transport.If any of you guys are interested then visit the following link.http://www.icoobaby.co.uk/disney_baby_range/pooh_range/10038_0c.html; ▶ Reply to This