Wheelchair spaces on buses

Replies

By Mags

Re: Wheelchair spaces on buses
Thu 21 Feb 2008 09:01

Hello Jason, I did write to our local Transport dept for clarification on the wheelchair spaces and I was told:
'We take into consideration that if a disabled person is not using the wheelchair area, it is available for use by families with prams or buggies. Unfortunately, because the size of this area is restricted, it is not always possible to accommodate everyone who wishes to take a wheelchair or pram on board. The restrictions that apply are legal requirements which we have to comply with and only one pushchair or wheelchair is currently permitted. The driver is ultimately responsible for the health and safety of all the passengers who travel on his vehicle and to that end, if a driver gives advice based on his/her training and working knowledge in regard to this matter, this is done ultimately for everyone’s safety.
In circumstances where a wheelchair user or someone with a pushchair wishes to board the bus and this area already has a pram or pushchair in it, our drivers are under instruction that they should politely ask if either party would be prepared to fold the pushchair down. It is the Company’s experience that the vast majority of passengers will comply with such requests.
Regrettably, however, there are some individuals who refuse to do so and it is very difficult for the driver involved to take action under these circumstances. The driver cannot, in all fairness force the issue.
The truth is that this is an area where the Company relies on the goodwill of the public in order to give priority to wheelchair users. Most of the time this is forthcoming, but unfortunately there are occasions when members of the public refuse to help'

So there you go, in our experience this is untrue. I said in my email that they are discriminating against people in wheelchairs and if you did the same with a different group of people, eg say you said to an old lady 'sorry we are only letting under 50's on the bus today' there would be a public outcry but you get away with it because someone is in a wheelchair'

I understand how difficult it is when you have a pram and loads of shopping but it still doesn't seem fair that after spending ages in the cold waiting for a bus and then told you can't come aboard and then to add insult to injury have to pay £10 for a taxi!
Hugs Mags x x x

By welshie

Re: Wheelchair spaces on buses
Thu 21 Feb 2008 11:17

hi Both
I can reply as a carer with a wheelchair bound person and the wife of a driver,firstly i must say been pretty lucky here in cardiff and nevr personally had a problem boarding a bus. The lucky drivers are most helpful we have low line buses and always manage to board without the ramp but are always offered.
I have been on the bus when there was a dispute over pram and wheelchair as you say if a blue badge is shown then its for wheelchairs but it is down to the public the driver has no duristriction and cant physically remaove some for saying no.
All they can do is ask for some one to fold the pram he can not enforce this .Yes it is awful to be left behind but you can not blame the driver he's doing all he can do like in many areas of life his hands are tied.
Its the mums with prams you want to be on at i was appalled when they refuse to fold the pushchair it was a lightweight buggy with a toddler in now come on wheres the hardship in that. Some people only care about themselves there the ones you should complain about x

By Sparhawk73

Re: Wheelchair spaces on buses
Thu 21 Feb 2008 12:32

Thanks for the reaction i love reading it. what gets to me is the people who come on to a bus with a pram then take the child out of it and do not fold it down which i know is the rule it is ok if child is in it but not fold it down.