Every day almost 300,000 passengers board RTD buses and trains. Many of these passengers need the priority seating and securement area to access transit. Complying with bus or light rail operators to vacate this space in the front of the bus or train when elderly or disabled passengers board provides these individuals with quick access to a seat or handhold. By choosing to use a stroller that is collapsible, it is possible to accommodate the disabled and elderly. Also, if you are able to time your trip to avoid peak periods, you may help to avoid this problem. Consider a child carrier as an alternative to a stroller or a smaller stroller while carrying your groceries in a backpack. In some circumstances, you may need to wait for a later bus or train.
Please follow these guidelines when addressing situations that arise from the sharing of limited space on public transit.
Acceptable stroller size
Maximum size for an uncollapsed stroller is 48" long by 36" wide. Most regular-sized, single strollers are allowed on board if occupied by children, but because of space limitations, the umbrella-type stroller is preferred. Oversized strollers (with the exception of strollers designed for children with disabilities), jogging strollers and double and triple strollers that do not meet the size requirements above are not permitted. Toy buggies, such as plastic pull-along cars and wagon carts, are also not permitted.
A stroller should be equipped with an operable brake and should be capable of being stowed out of the aisle. Strollers that are not being occupied by children must be collapsed and stowed. If a bus or train is full, all strollers must be collapsed and stowed.
Strollers do not fit in the aisles of Regional and skyRide buses. Before boarding a Regional or skyRide bus, remove the child from the stroller and then collapse the stroller for stowing in the baggage bin.
Using priority seating and securement areas
If the stroller fits within RTD’s size requirements and can fit into an area without extending into the aisle, then passengers can occupy the priority seating and securement area. However, if the bus is full or may be become full or a disabled or elderly passenger boards, passengers must be prepared to move towards the rear of the bus or train and stow away the stroller to avoid blocking the aisle.
Some passengers with disabilities cannot physically carry their children on a bus or train. In addition, because of their disability, disabled children may need to remain in a stroller. The priority seating and securement area is primarily for use for the disabled and elderly. Accordingly, in those situations, passengers may remain seated in the priority seating and securement area.
Using the lift to board a bus
If you request that the bus be knelt or the lift be deployed or the ramp extended, the operator will do so. Passengers with strollers using the train should board at the top of the high block ramp at the end of the platform. Remember, you may still be required to collapse your stroller once on board. Operators are not permitted to take care of children. Individuals with small children should come prepared. Operators may assist in loading your collapsed stroller.
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