Among the daunting firsts that come with venturing out with your new baby – and not one they tend to mention at NCT antenatal classes – is tackling public transport with a buggy.

The accessibility of public transport has improved beyond recognition in recent years, in part due to disability discrimination laws, but managing with a buggy can still be challenging. The situation isn't helped by a lack of information and variations in rules between different areas and operating companies.

So you're not alone if you're feeling somewhat nervous about how you might actually manage to heft an unwieldy buggy with its precious cargo, along with a bulging changing bag and assorted bits of baby paraphernalia, onto a bus or train without there being some sort of minor crisis. And once on the bus, will there be room for the pushchair? Where do you stand? And, most importantly, will you be able to get off again?

With these questions in mind, we've compiled some tips for travelling by public transport in Surrey, whether you're a non-driver or an occasional user when your car's out of action.

Buses

Many buses in Surrey now have “low floors” that make getting on and off with a pushchair easier by narrowing the gap between the pavement and bus; when the bus stops and the doors open, the floor is lowered to pavement level so you won't have to tilt the buggy very much – if at all – to get on and off.

It is usually acceptable to park your buggy in the wheelchair area if it's free but wheelchair users take priority, so if someone needs the area you will need to move your buggy to another suitable space if there is one, or fold it up to avoid blocking the gangway.
 
Where there are two sets of doors, you may need to use the rear (centre) doors to get on as well as off the bus, as some buggies don't fit easily between the rows of seats. The driver will usually advise you if he/she thinks you need to use the rear doors.

Arrangements for parents with buggies vary so it's best to contact you local bus company for more guidance if you're unsure; contact details can be found at www.surreycc.gov.uk (look under “Roads and transport” then “Buses and trains”).

Children under 5 generally travel free.

Trains

You can find out about the accessibility of rail stations in Surrey (and elsewhere) by visiting the National Rail website at www.nationalrail.co.uk and searching by station under “Station & on train”. The whole of Kingston station, for example, has step-free access, with lifts to platforms operating 24 hours a day. Guildford is also step-free throughout (if accessed from the Walnut Tree Close entrance).

Other information available on the National Rail website includes when stations are staffed, and what facilities (refreshments, shops, toilets) there are.

Once on the train, you may need to collapse your pushchair when it's busy, but off-peak you may well find you have enough room to keep your buggy unfolded. South West Trains, for example, have many trains with “flexible space” that can accommodate a buggy. (As a rule, newer trains are more likely to have room to keep your buggy unfolded.) Southern Trains, meanwhile, offer priority seats for pregnant women and those travelling with children under three; see www.southernrailway.com for more details.

When it comes to getting on and off the train, you can usually ask the guard or station staff for assistance if you need it, for example where the step up/down is steep. You may need to take your baby out of the buggy first; South West Trains staff are trained to follow the principle “parents take the baby, we'll take the pram”.

Some trains have changing facilities but you're less likely to find these on shorter routes.

Children under 5 generally travel free.

Top tips
- Do your research before you set off, so you know whether you'll need to navigate stairs or other obstacles.
- Consider altering your route slightly to avoid less accessible stations.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help from the driver or guard.