Children Can Stay In Strollers On Buses Under Fairfax Connector Policy

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Adults with children in strollers will have an easier time with boarding Fairfax Connector buses under a revised policy.

Fairfax County's local bus system announced Friday that adults boarding buses with strollers no longer need to fold up strollers and hold children in their laps. Children can remain in strollers under the revised policy, effective immediately.

The bus system noted an increase in youth riders since introducing free fares for children 12 and under who are riding with a paying adult.

"This family-friendly approach allows passengers to board Fairfax Connector buses with children comfortably secured in their strollers," Fairfax Connector said in a news release.

Strollers are only allowed in the ADA-accessible seating area on the bus when space is available and cannot block aisles or doorways. Older adults, people with disabilities and people using wheelchairs have priority for ADA seating over strollers, except when strollers are accommodations for children with disabilities. If the ADA-accessible seating area is not available, parents or guardians must fold strollers and hold children in their laps.

Under the policy, children must remain in strollers with all belts and harnesses secured. Parents or guardians must lock stroller wheels until they are leaving the bus and hold on to the stroller at all times. Strollers cannot be larger than 48 inches long by 30 inches wide, which includes joggers and double strollers.

Parents or guardians with a stroller may ask bus drivers to deploy a wheelchair ramp to make boarding easier.