I’ve been taking buses in Sydney for years… but I was dismayed when one day the driver refused to take me and my daughter because of a ‘rule’

A father is furious after a bus driver refused to take his daughter because she was not in a stroller.

Graham Cooke dropped his two-year-old daughter Katie off at daycare from their home in Newtown, in Sydney’s Inner West, before heading to work on Wednesday.

The couple had no problems with bus 370 for the past year, until the driver asked how young the toddler was.

Mr Cooke claimed the driver told him Katie was not allowed on the bus because the rules did not allow a toddler to travel without a pushchair.

He went on to claim that the rule applied to all children under the age of three and that he would not ride the bus with them.

The driver then told the pair that they were holding up other commuters and that they should get out and find another way to get to the daycare.

However, the angry father checked the rules for transporting toddlers on the Transport NSW website and found no reason to transport Katie in a pram.

However, Mr Cooke could do nothing to convince the driver and the pair were thrown off the bus and told to wait for the next bus. They were able to get back on without any problems.

Sydney resident Graham Cooke is furious after a bus driver denied him and his two-year-old daughter Katie (both pictured) boarding because of a false rule

The furious father said it was a “very unpleasant experience” which left his daughter “upset” and needing a hug to calm her down.

“She loves to greet bus drivers. She charms everyone in the neighborhood and makes it a great experience,” Mr. Cooke said. Yeah.

“So it was a very unpleasant start to the day, and he was very aggressive and dogmatic in his position.”

Mr Cooke contacted Transport NSW for clarification about the rule and the driver’s behaviour, but received an apology from the department.

He said it appeared the driver’s claim was “not a rule at all” enforced by Transport NSW and added it would be inconvenient for parents.

Mr Cooke noted that many nurseries do not allow parents to take a pushchair and leave it there, meaning parents have to take the pushchair back home on public transport.

He warned other parents to know their rights when travelling on public transport with their young children.

“You can’t be thrown off the bus for not having a pushchair if you’re perfectly happy to carry or hold your toddler,” Mr Cooke said.

The driver of the 370 (stock photo) said all children under the age of three must be secured in a pushchair, which is not stated on the Transport NSW website

A Transport NSW spokesperson said passengers can choose whether to sit with their children in a seat, on a lap or in a pushchair if there is space.

“All our accessible buses have designated areas for pushchairs and wheelchairs at the front of the bus, so children can remain in their pushchairs during the journey if necessary,” he said.

‘In that case, the front of the stroller should face the rear of the bus and make firm contact with the panel or bar behind it.

‘You must fold your pushchair or buggy and store it in the luggage rack if there is not enough space on the bus to park the pushchair safely, or if the driver asks you to do so.

‘In that case, you must carry the children you are accompanying with you, as it is not safe to stand and carry a child while the bus is moving.’