This can be either as easy as taking a baby on BART or as difficult as taking a baby on the bus, all depending on whether your entry/exit stations have handicap accessible platforms.
In all of these situations, an Ergo (or baby carrier of your choice) is an order of magnitude easier than a stroller. But, sometimes you need a stroller, and this is for those times.
1. Again, do not go on the Powell Street elevators. (They are beyond foul.) Certainly not the street-to-station ones.
Go through the Westfield mall, down to the concourse level.
2. Some outdoor stops have handicap accessible ramps, most do not.
Metro drivers will pull the streetcar forward or back to a handicap ramp, pull up the stairs, and let you get off that way with a stroller. I’ve seen minimal level of eye-rolling from fellow passengers when this happens, so it’s a good enough method if you need it.
Otherwise, you’ll have to figure out how to get baby and stroller up or down. My go-to method, before Bean could stand stand, was to use the Ergo and stroller on metro steps. Baby in the Ergo, arms carrying the stroller.
Don’t expect anyone to offer to help. You should expect people to try and beat you up/down the steps. Maybe using elbows. While not offering to help. Feel free to admonish people in a voice usually reserved for toddlers.
3. If you are planning on using an outdoor ramp/platform, you need to sit near the driver so you can tell him/her that you need to get off.
I once thought I was safe, sitting in the middle of the streetcar. Then a middle school group got on. There was no way for me to tell the driver to pull up to the ramp. I had to figure out on-the-fly how to get Bean and stroller down. Not fun.
4. There isn’t a lot of room for strollers on a Metro train.
You’ll be in the way, no matter where you are sitting. The streetcars just aren’t that wide. Rush hour is obviously worse than other times.
5. Or, get a folding stroller.
A folded MacLaren is basically the same dimensions as a metro seat. If I can, I tuck mine under the seats and relax, even if it’s a crowded train.
6. Use the Quicky Transit app to see when the next streetcar will arrive.
It helps minimize the actual time you spend standing in the elements.
7. Get a Clipper Card. And then go online and set it up to autoload.
Because the last thing you need to be worrying about is whether you have enough cash or enough on your card. On the Clipper website, you can choose a dollar amount; when your card goes below that dollar amount, Autoload will automatically bump your card up however much you told it to and charge you for it. It takes out a lot of guesswork.
You can pick up a Clipper Card at any Walgreens in the city.
