An Ottawa mother in the centre of a stroller dispute is pursuing legal action against OC Transpo, a move that may force OC Transpo to deal with the growing number of strollers on buses.
More riders, more strollers
Ridership on the city's buses is on the rise. So too is the number of strollers. Big, bulky and more plentiful, the weekend incident has sparked calls for the company to clarify its policy on strollers.
Right now, it's up to the drivers to determine how many strollers can ride at one time.
"If it's safe, I'll accommodate as many as I can," one driver tells CTV News.
Weekend incident
The issue came to a head when Pacey says she was refused access to a bus Saturday because another stroller had already got on. So, too, did Sarah Pacey's two-year-old, who ended up alone on the bus, with an hysterical Pacey running behind.
Union says driver not at fault
The union is defending its driver -- and demanding a policy from OC Transpo on strollers.
"Have you seen the size of strollers now? If people are listening out there, they know what we're talking about, especially the people taking the bus. The people are upset with strollers," says Andr� Cornellier of the Amalgamated Transit Union.
Bus company working on problem
OC Transpo admits it has a problem on its hands, particularly with the high-floor buses. The company is working on addressing the issue.
"We're receiving more complaints from all sides about congestion in the front and we're trying to deal with coming up with new policy and look at different ways to accommodate a broader part of the community," says Alain Mercier, head of OC Transpo.
Mother suing OC Transpo
While many residents are talking about this issue, Sarah Pacey is not. She has hired a lawyer who advised against speaking to the media. Pacey is hoping to take OC Transpo to court.
With a report from CTV's Joanne Schnurr
