All, sorry for all the questions today, just trying to alleviate some anxiety of our impending move to Basel...
Currently we live in an area where we drive or walk everywhere and don't get trains/buses etc. We have an UppaBaby Vista pram system for our 2month year old, who will be 4months when we move out there. It is great pram, but is rather large and heavy. I would be concerned about my wife getting on/off tube/buses in UK. Are the buses/trams better suited for prams in Basel i.e. low steps, plenty of space (outside rush hours)? Or would we be better suited to get a smaller city fold up pram as well in advance?
We use the baby carrier when can, but mainly it is me not my wife.
Most trams do (all the new ones) and older trams usually have a carriage (at the back) which does have pram/wheelchair access. The different tram lines operate different trams, e.g. 6 & 8 usually have new trams, 16 & 15 have older models, 1, 10 & 11 has a mix...
Rush hour can be a problem, as of course, can weekends and there are instances when getting on the tram if the "buggy" area is crowded or already full means waiting for the next tram.
So the answer: technically, not a problem. In reality usually OK...
If you can get a smaller buggy, then it is probably for the better, though not mandatory. We lived in the city centre for 6 years and had a double buggy (1 front & back and 1 side-by-side). Rarely had a problem.
I have a big buggy and don't drive. It's a pain getting on the old trains and trams but there's always someone who will help - I tend to wait for the next trams knowing if they are the newer type and soon I'll be getting a lighter weight one now he is bigger - but i'll still need help getting on the old trams and trains
I'd say it's not too difficult at all really - you adapt and people are helpful - only once did no one help me and then I had to discover that I could actually bump the buggy up the steps backwards quite easily
I can understand the anxieties but it's amazing how we have the capacity to adapt
The main problems you will encounter are of the "other commuters" variety. People seem to gravitate to the pushchair sections and stand there for some reason which can mean a few sore ankles if I happen to get on the tram with my pushchair
I also frequently experience rudeness from other passengers complaining that I shouldn't use the trams with a pushchair during rush hour. Seeing as I work fulltime I don't really have much choice.....infuriating
A silly woman happily had me standing in the bus door way with the buggy the other day while she stood in the pram section along with another pram. The bus was half empty. Lots of lovely seats to sit on but no she stayed put so I had to maneuver back and forth each time the bus stopped to let people on and off. It bugs me people who can go and sit down who clog up the disabled/buggies/luggage sections
Being new to CH from the US, I am unfamiliar with exactly what "tutting" is. Is it like muttering under your breath, and do you look the offender in the eye as you do it?
I figure it is only a matter of time before I (or my children) commit some infraction that warrants it! Best to be able to recognize it, I suppose.
But with a baby as young as theirs a small foldable pram may not be suitable just yet as their baby is likely to still be in the bassinet/carry cot attachment
Good point I was also thinking about that...but s mall pram (ok not foldable) would also be a good idea me thinks...easier to move etc...I am just shocked at what the future awaits when we are blesses with a kiddy and we have to use apublic transport in Basel I tell you these women are fearless
I saw someone walking around the other day with one of those Stokke ones, I thought it was pretty awesome concept since they start out with a "pram" style bed for a newborn and switch to a chair that can be adjusted for both size and directionality as your child grows.
Another wonderful thing about them to me is how little space they seem to take up plus I imagine they'd be quite light - as opposed to those ones I see much more often that look like you could carry half the house with you when you're out.
Today I discovered that my bugaboo (possessed by a good 80% of parents where I live) doesn't fit in the oldish train carriages... Had to spend my whole travel sitting on the little seat next to the toilets with my 3 mo, my dog and my 5 yo...