NEW YORK, NY— There might not be a bumper sticker slapped on the back of buses, but babies are officially on board with the MTA. And, their strollers are officially coming along for the ride.
Approximately 75 percent of the MTA's bus fleet now has designated stroller spaces, the agency told Patch.
By the end of 2026, all more than 5,800 local and Select Bus Service buses will include a marked area for one open stroller near the rear door.
The expansion gives families a dedicated place to ride while keeping wheelchair priority areas available for riders who use mobility devices.
"We understand even the youngest New Yorkers have places to be and we're ensuring our bus network continues to get them there," Demetrius Crichlow, New York City Transit president said.
Look for the stroller decal.
Buses included in the Open Stroller program have a decal on the outside of the vehicle so riders can identify the feature before boarding.
Inside, the designated stroller area has a matching decal.
Only one open stroller is allowed at a time. If another stroller is already using the space, riders must fold their stroller before boarding.
The MTA has not released a route-by-route list of buses equipped with stroller areas.
Instead, the agency is adding the feature across the fleet through depot-by-depot retrofits, meaning buses assigned to different locations receive the upgrade as work progresses.
Older buses are being retrofitted with designated stroller areas as part of the MTA's expansion, the agency told Patch.
The upgrades are happening on a depot-by-depot basis, with the design depending on the bus model.
Some buses are being fitted with an open space near the rear door, while others create the area by flipping up two side-by-side seats.
New buses purchased or ordered since 2024 already include a dedicated stroller space when they enter service.
The Open Stroller program began as a pilot in 2023 after the MTA worked with parents, caregivers, disability advocates, bus operators and accessibility teams to redesign bus travel for families.
The agency said customer surveys have shown approval ratings of 80 percent or higher since the pilot began.
MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo said the program expands access while protecting space for riders with disabilities.
The expansion was funded through a $1.5 million state grant secured by lawmakers including state Sen. Andrew Gounardes, former state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assembly Member Nily Rozic and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon.
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