Lothian Buses is the main operator in Edinburgh and the surrounding area, and its published rules give a clear picture of what a parent can expect when boarding with a pram. The operator does not require prams to be folded, but it sets limits on space, width and positioning, and it says the wheelchair space has to be freed for a wheelchair user. This guide summarises the operator’s Families page, Help Centre article and Conditions of Carriage as read in September 2026. The rules are those of one operator serving Edinburgh and the Lothians in Scotland, and other bus companies may differ. It is general information, and the driver on the day has the final say under the conditions.
Folded or unfolded? (Scotland)
The Conditions of Carriage say buggies, including pushchairs and travel systems, that will not obstruct the aisle may be brought onto buses unfolded if there is space, and that the aisle can never be obstructed. A passenger who boards with an unfolded buggy must place it in the buggy space whenever that space is available. Where a bus has no buggy space, or where the space is occupied, one unfolded buggy may be placed in the wheelchair space, with the brake applied and the buggy attended to at all times. The conditions add that bags or other items that could make the buggy unstable must be removed and stored safely.
The Families page nevertheless recommends a small, lightweight, foldable buggy for customers with young children, saying such buggies are safer, easier to manage and more convenient on buses.
How much room there is (Scotland)
The Conditions of Carriage state that the narrowest part of the aisle is 0.73 metres and that this can be unsuitable for a wide double buggy. The accessible space and the shared space are each 0.75 metres wide, and the Families page says a pram or buggy must fit fully within the space without blocking the aisle or other seats. The Conditions say this maximum size includes attachments, handles and bags, and that drivers keep the right to refuse entry or ask a customer to leave if the buggy does not fit safely. The Families page notes the narrowest point of the aisle is by the driver’s cab. Anyone buying a double buggy with bus travel in mind should measure it fully loaded against these figures.
Positioning the buggy (Scotland)
Only one buggy or pram is allowed in the wheelchair accessible space at a time, according to the Families page, and it should sit against the padded backrest with the brakes applied and the child facing the rear of the bus. The page gives the reason as protection in a collision or heavy braking. Some vehicles have fixed poles while others have fold-down or pull-out anti-tip bars, which should be in place for the whole journey, and a driver can help move the bar. The driver waits until the brakes are applied before moving off.
The page also describes a trial of buggy straps on new vehicles introduced in June 2026. Parents are encouraged to remove any bags that could destabilise the buggy, position it against the padded support with the child facing rearwards, fit a strap firmly to a secure part of the frame and adjust its length until the buggy is secure. The page stresses that the safety of the child remains the parent’s responsibility.
When a wheelchair user boards (Scotland)
Lothian says that, in line with UK legislation, customers using a manual or powered wheelchair or a specialised buggy have priority over the wheelchair space. A parent using the space must vacate it if a wheelchair user boards, either by folding the buggy and storing it as luggage or by leaving the bus, in which case the driver can issue a ticket for onward travel. The 2024 version of the Conditions describes folding it and placing it in the luggage rack. For the position in England and Wales, where the Supreme Court decided Paulley v FirstGroup, see the site’s guide to pushchairs and wheelchair spaces on buses.
Specialised buggies and the travel warrant (Scotland)
Specialised or wheelchair buggies are entitled to the wheelchair space on the same basis as any other wheelchair, and the Conditions ask parents to tell the driver, because these buggies are not always easy to tell apart from standard ones. The operator says it can issue a card confirming discreetly that folding is not practicable because of a child’s disability. An older 2024 version of the Conditions described a travel warrant for people who cannot fold their buggy because they or their child have a disability, noting that the warrant gives no boarding priority over other passengers. Contact details for the accessibility officer are on the Families page.
Practical points before you travel
- Measure the buggy with the handlebar, bag hooks and any attachments against the 0.75 metre space.
- Expect to fold the buggy if the wheelchair space is needed.
- Remove hanging bags before boarding.
- Ask the driver for help with the anti-tip bar.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a double buggy on a Lothian bus? The operator does not ban it, but warns that the aisle is tight at 0.73 metres and that drivers can refuse a buggy that does not fit safely.
Does it have to be folded? Not always; unfolded buggies are allowed if they do not obstruct the aisle and space is available.
The bottom line
Lothian Buses accepts unfolded prams where they fit the 0.75 metre space without blocking the aisle, but a wheelchair user has priority and a parent may have to fold the buggy or leave the bus. Measure a double buggy before relying on it.