ME & On Property Bus w/ young children

[gmeh1]

Yes, I understand that it is best to use the Latch BUT unfortunately not every car is equipped for it. We have used them and continue to practice beyond the minimum car seat standards (our 6 yr old is still in a 5 pt harness). But what you originally said was that you had to use a latch to install a car seat. Since that is untrue, that can be very misleading to some readers who don't realize that it isn't always possible to use it either because their vehicle doesn't have it or because their child/seat can no longer be used in that way.

And yes, car seats have not been allowed on ME buses BUT that is because there were NO seat belts installed on them at the time. Now that many of the busses do have seat belts, it is very possible that drivers will allow a parent to use a car seat. Not really any reason why they shouldn't be able to and it certainly doesn't hurt to ask.

No, it does not hurt to ask, but, it is clearly against the policy of ME and yes, there is a reason, because it is against the policy of ME and the drivers are required to follow that policy. It also holds up boarding and effects the time schedule. your original post was misleading and assumptive on your part.

 

[gmeh1]

There is actually a very good reason why the shouldn't allow you to use a car seat. Because if there is an accident, and the car seat is not installed properly, a child could get hurt. And if it was partly because of the improper car seat install, Disney would be held liable for it. A improperly installed car seat can injure others as well, and that would be another law suit.

Good post. Add to that, it is against the policy.

 

[ls3015]

It's hard to believe how some people of today, just disregard safety, don't like to see a change happen, wouldn't it be nice, if instead of disagreeing, with posts after posts, they were to find a simple solution to a agreed upon problem, how to ride the bus safetly.
I have seen many a tour bus, just recently, in the news, that have been in accidents, roofs riped off, sides caved in, entire fronts riped off where people were thrown out.
What is the solution. Should seats belts be required or not? I do know on most, if not all, airlines require seat belts, Why is this? There had to be time in history that there were no seat belts on planes, and I bet that people rejected to them when they became law. Maybe everyone should just ride around on motor bikes with no helmets. Oh wait, some do now, there called organ donors.

 

[Alesia]

It's hard to believe how some people of today, just disregard safety, don't like to see a change happen, wouldn't it be nice, if instead of disagreeing, with posts after posts, they were to find a simple solution to a agreed upon problem, how to ride the bus safetly.
I have seen many a tour bus, just recently, in the news, that have been in accidents, roofs riped off, sides caved in, entire fronts riped off where people were thrown out.
What is the solution. Should seats belts be required or not? I do know on most, if not all, airlines require seat belts, Why is this? There had to be time in history that there were no seat belts on planes, and I bet that people rejected to them when they became law. Maybe everyone should just ride around on motor bikes with no helmets. Oh wait, some do now, there called organ donors.

Buses and airplanes are different vehicles and are affected by the laws of physics in different ways.

The fact is that, on buses, seat belts cause more injuries than they prevent.

 

[ls3015]

Buses and airplanes are different vehicles and are affected by the laws of physics in different ways.

The fact is that, on buses, seat belts cause more injuries than they prevent.

This post is just what i was talking about, unbeliveable thinking, it's a just because. All mods of public transportaion need too have a good look at safety, if it's broke, than fix it, if not, leave it alone.

 

[brymolmom]

OP-

Bypassing all the carseat/seatbelt talk - Let me tell you dh's and my 'tried and true' bus procedure - especially when using a double stroller:

Keep an empty grocery bag (think $1 reusable type) in the bottom of your stroller basket at all times.

Have the stroller folded BEFORE the bus stops.

DH always took the folded stroller and went to stand right at the back door of the bus - Leaning the stroller against the pole and just standing and holding the pole during the ride (dh was never comfortable taking a seat while women, older people, etc are standing anyway). I would sit and keep littlest on my lap and other child right next to me with arm around.

When we get to destination - DH hops off quickly and sets up stroller on sidewalk (NOT right in front of everyone departing - this happens a LOT and a pet peeve of mine). When I get off with kids the stroller is ready to just pop the kids into. This is especially helpful if BOTH KIDS fall asleep on the bus. DH would have the stroller setup and if he didn't see us coming off - he would hop back on when everyone was off and grab one of the sleeping kids.

During the day, as you accumulate 'junk' in your stroller basket (tubs of popcorn, half drunk water bottles, sunglasses, hats, etc.) - when the bus is approaching - you grab the empty grocery bag and stuff everything inside. This makes it a TON easier than carrying stuff in your hands while trying to hold kids too.

That's my best bus tips!

 

[Alesia]

This post is just what i was talking about, unbeliveable thinking, it's a just because. All mods of public transportaion need too have a good look at safety, if it's broke, than fix it, if not, leave it alone.

I'm honestly not sure what you're trying to say.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm honestly not sure what you're trying to say.

Me either.

If someone is not comfortable with the fact that car seats are not allowed on Disney buses, then they need to find another way to get around WDW. No one is forced to use the buses, and if as a parent you are that worried, then maybe you need to rent a car.

But please don't make it sound as if the Disney buses are in accidents all of the time. A quick search will show how rare bus accidents at WDW are. Another quick search will explain why seat belts in buses are not necessary as they are in cars.

 

[ls3015]

I'm honestly not sure what you're trying to say.

That would be right yes, than you would Leave the subject be. you disagree fine, there is nothing wrong with your opinion, others have feelings and thoughts as well, It's apparent some others would feel safer if there were seat belts in the buses. and there is nothing wrong with that opinion.

 

[ls3015]

Me either.

If someone is not comfortable with the fact that car seats are not allowed on Disney buses, then they need to find another way to get around WDW. No one is forced to use the buses, and if as a parent you are that worried, then maybe you need to rent a car.

But please don't make it sound as if the Disney buses are in accidents all of the time. A quick search will show how rare bus accidents at WDW are. Another quick search will explain why seat belts in buses are not necessary as they are in cars.

You do bring up an interesting subject that should be on it's own thread.

 

[goofy4tink]

It's hard to believe how some people of today, just disregard safety, don't like to see a change happen, wouldn't it be nice, if instead of disagreeing, with posts after posts, they were to find a simple solution to a agreed upon problem, how to ride the bus safetly.
I have seen many a tour bus, just recently, in the news, that have been in accidents, roofs riped off, sides caved in, entire fronts riped off where people were thrown out.
What is the solution. Should seats belts be required or not? I do know on most, if not all, airlines require seat belts, Why is this? There had to be time in history that there were no seat belts on planes, and I bet that people rejected to them when they became law. Maybe everyone should just ride around on motor bikes with no helmets. Oh wait, some do now, there called organ donors.

There is a reason the vast majority of school buses don't have seat belts. There is a reason that the vast majority of tour buses don't have seat belts. Those who are interested in bus safety continue to do studies and continue to find that there just isn't a huge need for seat belts on buses. They are different than planes....planes hit air pockets all the time. Passengers that are not belted in tend to fly up and hit the ceiling!!! Happens all the time. Not the case with buses.
Yes, plenty of people feel they, and their children, are safer if belted in. If they are uncomfortable on a bus because of this, then they can take alternative transportation. Buses, especially at WDW, are very safe. Yes, there are accidents on Disney property. But they seldom result in anything other than minor injuries...and those probably wouldn't have been prevented by seat belts.
And of course everyone is more than welcome to their own opinion. And each family/person has to do what they need to do in order to be comfortable. What works for you may not work for me...and vice versa!!

 

[ls3015]

There is a reason the vast majority of school buses don't have seat belts. There is a reason that the vast majority of tour buses don't have seat belts. Those who are interested in bus safety continue to do studies and continue to find that there just isn't a huge need for seat belts on buses. They are different than planes....planes hit air pockets all the time. Passengers that are not belted in tend to fly up and hit the ceiling!!! Happens all the time. Not the case with buses.
Yes, plenty of people feel they, and their children, are safer if belted in. If they are uncomfortable on a bus because of this, then they can take alternative transportation. Buses, especially at WDW, are very safe. Yes, there are accidents on Disney property. But they seldom result in anything other than minor injuries...and those probably wouldn't have been prevented by seat belts.
And of course everyone is more than welcome to their own opinion. And each family/person has to do what they need to do in order to be comfortable. What works for you may not work for me...and vice versa!!

I Could not agree more with this, this is I believe, what I have already said,
everyone is welcome to there own opinion, everyone has there own thoughts on what is safe for themself, who out there can tell someone that something is safe, if they already feel it is not, with that said, if it's not broke don't try and fix it.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Seat belts save lives when used CORRECTLY. When you are in your own car you can easily adjust the shoulder harness or use car/booster seats to make sure you and your child are belted in correctly.

Public transportation has to be as "one size fits all" as possible, and balance safety and efficiency. Therefore they find alternate ways to keep passengers safe besides seat belts.

An example is a school bus. The average bus holds about 72 students. It usually runs 2 or 3 routes. One for the middle & high school, one for elementary school. The bus has shoulder belts for 72 students (lap belts are not as effective and can be more dangerous). The HS and MS students are tall enough the the shoulder strap hits them properly, and can be held responsible to secure them selves properly. Now the elementary kids get on the bus. Because they are too small and can't be held responsible for making sure they are belted properly, every student needs a car seat or booster seat. So someone has to get put the correct type of seat in the correct position for all 72 students. Then as each student boards the bus, the driver or attendant has to make sure they are strapped in properly. When they arrive at school, the same person has to unstrap all 72 kids to let them off the bus. Then all the car/booster seats have to be taken off the bus so that the hs and ms kids can be taken home at the end of the day. Finally you reverse the earlier process for the elementary kids to take them home. Plus, the elementary kids grow quickly, so the straps on their car seats have to be readjusted regularly. This seems extreme, but really it's the only way to use seat belts in school busses and comply with current seat belt/safety seat laws.

It is much more efficient to make each seat compartmentalized with super padding. It also creates less room for the human error factor. A seatbelt or child safety seat is only as good as the person strapping the kid in.

 

[ls3015]

Excellent a solution to a complex problem