A father was left furious after a bus driver refused to let his daughter on because she was not in a pram.
Graham Cooke was taking his two-year-old daughter Katie to daycare from his home in Newtown, in Sydney’s Inner West, before starting work on Wednesday.
The couple had no problem riding the 370 bus for most of last year until the driver asked how small the child was.
Mr Cooke claimed the driver told him Katie would not be allowed on the bus because it was against the rules for a small child to be on board without a pram.
He went on to state that the rule was for all children under the age of three and that he would not drive the bus with them.
The driver then told the couple that they were holding up the rest of the passengers and that they should get off and find another way to get to the daycare.
However, the upset dad checked the rules for travelling with young children on the Transport NSW website and found nothing requiring him to put Katie in a pram.
However, Mr Cooke was unable to do anything to convince the driver and they were both forced to get off the bus and wait for the next one, having no trouble getting on board.
Sydney resident Graham Cooke has been left furious after a bus driver denied him and his two-year-old daughter Katie (both pictured) a ride on a bus because of a bogus rule.
The furious father said it was a “really unpleasant experience” that left his daughter “upset” and needing a hug to calm her down.
“He loves saying hello to the bus drivers. He just charms everyone and makes it a really enjoyable experience,” Cooke said. Yahoo.
“So it was a very unpleasant start to the day, and he was very aggressive and dogmatic about his view.”
Mr Cooke contacted Transport NSW to seek clarity on the rule and the driver’s behaviour, only to receive an apology from the department.
He said it appeared the driver’s claim was “not at all a rule” enforced by Transport NSW, adding that it would be inconvenient for parents.
Mr Cooke pointed out that many nurseries do not allow parents to bring a stroller and leave it there, meaning they would have to take it home with them on public transport.
She warned other parents to know their rights while traveling on public transportation with their young children.
“You can’t be kicked off a bus just because you don’t have a stroller, if you’re happy enough to carry or hold your toddler,” Cooke said.
The driver of the 370 (file image) said all children under three must travel strapped into a pushchair, which is not listed on the Transport NSW website.
A Transport NSW spokesperson said passengers can choose whether they want to sit with their children in a seat, on their lap or strapped in a stroller if there is space.
“All of our accessible buses have specific areas for strollers and wheelchairs near the front of the bus, which will allow children to remain in the stroller while on board if necessary,” she said.
‘In that case, the front of the stroller must be facing the rear of the bus and be in firm contact with the panel or bar located behind it.
‘You will need to fold your stroller or pram and store it in the luggage rack if there is not enough space on board the bus to park the stroller safely, or if the driver asks you to do so.
‘In that case, you will need to seat any children in your care with you, as it is not safe to stand and carry a child while the bus is moving.’