NEW YORK — With one hand on her baby and the other on her stroller Danielle Avisar knows just how difficult it is for parents trying to bring a child and a stroller on public transportation.

"I was really surprised that a city as progressive as New York doesn't have any sort of accommodation for moms, for parents in general and parents have to depend on public transportation," Avisar said. "New York is not a car friendly town, so how are you supposed to get around?"

MTA rules mandate parents fold strollers before boarding buses and keep the strollers closed for the entire ride. 

What You Need To Know

  • Danielle Avisar says she thinks New York needs to keep up with other cities, when it comes to making public transportation more accessible for parents

  • MTA policy is no open strollers are allowed on city buses

  • Avisar recently testified at an MTA Transit Committee meeting last in hopes of changing the policy

  • An MTA spokesperson says the agency is taking a fresh look at the issue by reviewing past assessments and current incident statistics

Avisar says she was not aware you had to fold a stroller and remove your child before getting on a city bus until her son Benji was born and she tried to get onboard with her baby still strapped in.

"I was so angry just because a it's completely impossible to do," Avisar said. "And also, you have to choose now between arguing with the bus driver and creating a scene where they do humiliate you on the bus or risking your child safety."

Avisar says she was in a bus accident years ago and is concerned about what would happen if a parent was holding a child during a collision.

"You fly, there's no control at all. And anyone who's near a pole strikes a pole. Anyone who's in the front just pushes through to the front. So what's going to happen, God forbid, if there is an accident to an infant?” Avisar asked.

Avisar is not alone — an online petition calling for the MTA to reexamine its policies got nearly 60,000 signatures. It cites cities across the globe that allow open strollers aboard buses, noting exceptions during rush hour.

Avisar and other parents recently testified during an MTA Transit Committee meeting last month in hopes of changing the policy.

“This is completely unsafe and contrary to every car seat rule there is,” said Avisar, during testimony on February 22.

At the time, interim transit president Craig Cipriano said the agency has been exploring the issue, but has concerns.

“It’s a catch 22. I think if you allow a stroller on board, you have no way to secure it. And if a bus stops short, you have a safety issue,” said Cipriano.

An MTA spokesperson says the agency is taking a fresh look at the issue by reviewing past assessments and current incident statistics.

Avisar is hopeful she will be able to take the bus with Benji, something she avoids now because she only has two hands.