Travelling on Public Transport with Infants

travelling on public transport with infants - qld
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buses

Travelling by bus with a pram is probably the biggest public transport challenge. Most buses have two or three quite steep steps to climb and a door-way that is usually too narrow for a pram. You will probably need to collapse your pram to carry it on board and unless you've got a spare pair of hands, that can be quite tricky whilst you're holding your baby and everything else. Even if you are lucky enough to travel on a low floor bus without steps and with a wider door, you will probably be asked to take your child out of the pram once on board - this is at the discretion of the driver. If you do leave your child in the pram, remember to put the brakes on.

Get the driver, or another passenger, to help you both on and off the bus. Once onboard, baby gets a great view of the world and usually a fair amount of attention from the other passengers!

For route and timetable information, try the numbers and weblinks below (if you are not sure what transport is available to get you to and from your destination, try the journey planner link below). This online facility allows you to enter your starting address, destination address and arrival time and returns different transport options):

South East Queensland Region

TransInfo Telephone ph: 13 12 30 (interpreters available)
or ph: (07) 3369 3377 (TTY for those with hearing difficulties)
Brisbane region bus timetable online
private bus operators' details here
journey planner online
Gold Coast buses online

trains

Travelling by train with a pram can be relatively straightforward - ramps are usually available to access the platforms and train doors are usually wide enough to get a pram through without collapsing it. Be aware, however, that platform heights vary and there is often a substantial step up to the train from the platform. Not all stations have ramps to all platforms, with the only access to some platforms being by stairs. Queensland Transport have details of wheel chair access (and hence 'pram access') at each station of the city train service online here. City train is Queensland Transport's suburban and inter-urban service for Brisbane. For more details of the Airtrain (to & from Brisbane Airport) and Traveltrain (long distance & tourist trains) services, click on the links below.

If you decide to leave your child in the pram during the journey, remember to put the brakes on and keep one hand on the pram at all times.

For route and timetable information, try the Queensland Transport numbers and weblinks below (if you are not sure what transport is available to get you to and from your destination, try the journey planner link below. This online facility allows you to enter your starting address, destination address and arrival time and returns different transport options):

South East Queensland Region

TransInfo Telephone Line ph: 13 12 30 (interpreters available)
or ph: 3369 3377 (TTY for those with hearing difficulties)
Citytrain timetable (suburban & inter-urban, Brisbane) online
Citytrain 'pram'/wheelchair access at stations here
Airtrain (to & from Brisbane Airport) website
journey planner online

Other Queensland Regions

Traveltrain (long distance & tourist) website

ferries

Most ferries have just a ramp on and off and gates that are wide enough to wheel a pram onboard. If you do encounter any steps, ferry staff will be able to assist. If you decide to leave your child in the pram during the journey, remember to put the brakes and keep one hand on the pram at all times.

For route and timetable information, try the Queensland Transport numbers and weblinks below (if you are not sure what transport is available to get you to and from your destination, try the journey planner link below. This online facility allows you to enter your starting address, destination address and arrival time and returns different transport options):

Brisbane Region

TransInfo Telephone Line ph: 13 12 30 (interpreters available)
or ph: 3369 3377 (TTY for those with hearing difficulties)
ferry timetable online
journey planner online

Gold Coast