Open strollers are now welcome on Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Metrobus, replacing a policy that required strollers to be folded before boarding.
“WMATA is committed to making transit accessible and convenient for everyone, and that includes those traveling with young children,” said WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “This family-friendly initiative relieves a hardship many parents told us they face when riding Metrobus, and we hope it encourages more families to choose WMATA.”
The policy change follows feedback from customers, consultation with WMATA employees, Local 689, Local 922 and engagement with the Riders Advisory Council and the Accessibility Advisory Council. WMATA reviewed best practices for open stroller policies at other transit agencies, including the District’s Circulator, Montgomery County’s Ride On, and DASH.
WMATA estimates about five percent of trips – around 18,000 a day -- involve customers using Metrobus to take their children to and from daycares and schools or running errands to grocery stores.
Those traveling on Metrobus with strollers should utilize the priority seating area with the stroller brakes locked while the bus is in motion. Strollers must not block aisles or doorways and should be held on to at all times.
People with disabilities and seniors will continue to have first priority in the priority seating area. Metrobus operators will maintain discretion to ask that a stroller be moved or folded if they determine it is compromising the safety of other passengers.
