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Yes. You can take a stroller on buses and SkyTrain in Metro Vancouver and on OC Transpo buses and the O-Train in Ottawa, and you usually don't have to fold it. The catch is size. TransLink lists a maximum stroller size for buses of 61 by 122 cm (24 by 48 in). Most single strollers are under 24 inches wide, but a few popular full-size and single-to-double models, including the UPPAbaby Vista V3, are wider. OC Transpo doesn't post a size limit, but you may be asked to fold your stroller or wait for the next bus if it's full.
TransLink rules (Metro Vancouver)
- Size: the maximum stroller size on buses is 61 cm (24 in) wide by 122 cm (48 in) long.
- Boarding: tell the driver if you need the ramp.
- On board: keep the stroller out of the aisle and doorways. Before the bus moves, hold the stroller and put the brakes on.
- The accessibility area: you can park there, but the driver may ask you to move for someone using a wheelchair, scooter or other mobility aid, or a senior.
- Stations: use the elevator, not the escalator, with a stroller.
- Fares: children 12 and under ride free on buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express.
TransLink also says a driver can ask that an item not be brought on board if it can't be carried safely, so on a packed bus the driver has the final say.
OC Transpo rules (Ottawa)
- Stations: use the elevator to move between levels at Transitway stations.
- Boarding: push the stroller on facing forward, and take it off facing backwards.
- On board: either fold and stow the stroller, or use the wheelchair spaces.
- Full buses: if the bus is full, or the stroller would get in the way of other passengers moving safely, you may not be able to board.
- Fares: children 10 and under ride free on buses and O-Train Line 1. At O-Train gates, use the wide fare gate with a paying adult, or a Child card.
Which strollers are under 24 inches wide?
Here are the open widths of strollers we carry, from narrowest to widest, measured the way each brand lists them. Every one is well under TransLink's 48-inch length limit.
| Stroller | Open width | Under 24 in? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joolz Aer² | 17.7 in | Yes | $648.95 |
| UPPAbaby Minu V3 | 18 in | Yes | $599.99 |
| Cybex Libelle | 20.5 in | Yes | $499.95 |
| Joolz Hub² | 20.7 in | Yes | $1,017.95 |
| UPPAbaby Kona | 21 in | Yes | $899.99 |
| UPPAbaby Cruz V3 | 22.5 in | Yes | $919.99 |
| Nuna TRIV Next | 22.5 in | Yes | $1,100 |
| Silver Cross Reef 2 | 23.5 in | Yes | $1,299.95 |
| Nuna MIXX Next | 23.6 in | Yes, just | $1,200 |
| Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew | 23.6 in (60 cm) | Yes, just | $1,598.95 |
| Bugaboo Kangaroo | 24.4 in | No, slightly over | $1,298.95 |
| Cybex Gazelle S V2 | 25.4 in | No | $1,299.95 |
| UPPAbaby Vista V3 | 25.7 in | No | $1,039.99 |
| Nuna TRVL Dubl (side-by-side double) | 30.5 in | No | $1,240 |
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. Widths come from each stroller's specifications with the standard wheels and seat. Side-mounted cup holders, organisers and some rain covers can add width, which matters most for the strollers that only just fit.
How to choose if you'll ride transit often
- If the bus is part of your daily routine in Metro Vancouver, a stroller under 24 inches wide avoids the question altogether. UPPAbaby's Minu V3, Kona and Cruz V3 are all under it. Our Cruz V3 vs Minu V3 comparison covers how they differ.
- If you love the Vista V3 for its second-seat option, know that it's wider than TransLink's posted maximum. If you'll mostly drive and walk, that may not matter. If you'll take the bus every day, the Cruz V3 is UPPAbaby's narrower full-size option, with a seat you can use from birth, though it doesn't take a second seat.
- If you may need to fold on board, as OC Transpo allows, practise at home first. A fold that works with one hand and the seat attached helps when you're also holding your baby. The Kona, for example, folds with one hand with the seat facing either way.
- If you'll take SkyTrain or the O-Train with a toddler and bags, a lighter compact stroller is easier to steer into a crowded car and through the wide fare gate. Our compact travel stroller comparison covers the smallest folds.
Still choosing a main stroller? Our best full-size strollers guide compares weight, fold and newborn options. If you're new to Canada, our first-winter checklist for newcomer families covers the rest of the season.
Tips for an easier ride
- Tell the driver if you need the ramp, and wait for people getting off first.
- Put the brakes on as soon as you're parked, and keep a hand on the handlebar.
- Pack the basket instead of hanging bags on the handlebar, so the stroller is stable and the aisle stays clear.
- At rush hour, a baby carrier and a folded stroller can be easier than an open stroller in a full bus.
- Have your fare ready before you board, so you're not searching for it while holding the stroller.
Want to see how wide these strollers really are, side by side? Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit and we'll let you know which models we have on the floor that day.
