My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

News

Wheelchair Vs Buggy

300 replies

Twinning546 · 18/01/2017 11:11

I've just been reading about Doug Paulley being successful in the supreme court regarding pushchairs having to move for a wheelchair user. How does this work practically if there isn't any space to move to and you've already paid for your journey? Considering I travel with a large double pram with twins under 1 I can't just fold it up and sit with a child on my lap so I'd have to get off the bus.

OP posts:
Report
Twinkladdictmum · 18/01/2017 11:13

Yes, you would.

Report
DonkeyOaty · 18/01/2017 11:13

Yes you would disembark and take the next one.

I'm hoping the bus companies will clarify they'll accept fare already paid.

Report
PurpleDaisies · 18/01/2017 11:14

The bus driver will give you a follow on ticket that's valid for the next bus.

I'm pleased the ruling went this way.

Report
PinkSwimGoggles · 18/01/2017 11:14

good on Doug Paulley!

well you then need to fold or get off the bus and need to get a refund/forward journey ticket from the driver.

Report
MrsJayy · 18/01/2017 11:17

Our buses say please move if a wheelchair user needs the space i am not sure if the driver could enforce it though, good for Doug

Report
MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 18/01/2017 11:18

I saw an odd one a few weeks ago...

Two people in wheelchairs at a bus stop with carers. Obviously bus could only take one. Bit of arguing about who should get on. One gets on... bus driver pulls off... woman gets out of wheelchair in to a seat and the carer then folds it!!! Shock

Report
ButteredToastAndStrawberryJam · 18/01/2017 11:20

Yes, you'd have to get off the bus and wait for the next one.

Report
SmallBee · 18/01/2017 11:21

I think two things are bothering me about this. The first is from the bus drivers perspective, what are they supposed to do now if someone flat out refuses to move? Because in theory if they let them stay then the bus driver will be in breech of the law, but I'm sure no one is suggesting that the driver then physically removes anyone taking up a wheelchair space?

Secondly, although I suppose this isn't new but has only just occurred to me, what happens if there are more wheelchair users than wheelchair spaces available? Is it just the same as when the bus is full for able bodied and the have to wait for the next one?

Report
timeisnotaline · 18/01/2017 11:21

Yes, you would have to get off. As a mum of a small child, I would happily get off to let a wheelchair on. Travelling for disabled people is awful, which is why you don't see many wheelchairs around, and I think it should be a criminal offence to add to the challenge. Don't get me started about able bodied people using disabled car parks.

Report
MrsJayy · 18/01/2017 11:22

Oh dear Milktwosugars

Report
Mustang27 · 18/01/2017 11:22

Seriously I think this is a non issue. The person is disabled. Obviously it's hard work having a baby and a pram and all your errands to run but think about it like this, it's short lived for us these people have all their lives to deal with this crap be courteous move don't make an issue of it. It's probably hard enough for them on a daily basis. If you have one baby and need to use public transport get a good quality carrier, problem solved!!

Report
SmallBee · 18/01/2017 11:22

*and they have to wait for the next one.

Report
PurpleDaisies · 18/01/2017 11:23

smallbee if there are two wheelchair users the first on gets on and the next one waits for the next bus.

Report
SmallBee · 18/01/2017 11:25

Thanks Purple
It makes me realise how bloody lucky I am that I've never needed to give it any thought. And that there should be much more space available for wheelchair users to start with.

Report
Soubriquet · 18/01/2017 11:32

Yes you would need to get off

I got off the bus a few weeks ago for a wheelchair user

I could have collapsed but I really couldn't be bothered and since we wasn't far, I just got off and walked the rest of the way.

But some people will refuse to move on the " I was here first" basis

Report
Soubriquet · 18/01/2017 11:51

there you go

Know some parents would be pissed off because their pram is more importantly

Report
OOAOML · 18/01/2017 11:52

The bus company here gives people the option of folding or giving them a ticket to use on the next bus. We're in a city and there are a lot of frequent bus routes - I'm guessing that if you live on a less frequent route you have to plan (eg sling, foldable pushchair). We're lucky that most buses here have good space.

Report
11122aa · 18/01/2017 11:53

What happen's is there standing passengers in the wheelchair space and there is no where else to stand on the Bus. Officially call the police to get someone off but i imagine someone on the bus would threaten violence and the blocker would flee.
Buggy's should be banned from busses full stop during peak hours. Even folded up one's

Report
Twinning546 · 18/01/2017 11:53

Thanks for all your responses. I think getting off would be the only option but I'd never seen a driver issue a credit for a future journey. I also think I'd be very upset if this happened in the dark and cold with two lo's and the next bus was an hour away but it'd be horrible for the wheelchair user too so what can you do.

OP posts:
Report
PurpleDaisies · 18/01/2017 11:53

Oh that thread is so depressing soubriquet.

Report
11122aa · 18/01/2017 11:54

Driver's issue credit in London a lot when Busses get stopped early. Most buggy's can be folded up and put somewhere.

Report
TheFairyCaravan · 18/01/2017 11:55

I'm so pleased about this. It should never have had to have gone to the Supreme Court, but thank heavens he won.

Fold your pram or get off!

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Soubriquet · 18/01/2017 11:56

Extremely so.

But it shows attitudes now days. More and more people need to be prosecuted for it to drill through but I think a lot of disabled people give up and lose the will to fight.

Tbf I would to if I needed to use a wheelchair

Report
Sirzy · 18/01/2017 11:57

I am pleased about this ruling.

I do think some parents need to remember the only reason they can get their buggies onto buses (or around shops, or into places which previously only had steps etc etc) is because of the years of campaigning from disability rights supporters.

Report
Manumission · 18/01/2017 11:58

Yes, I used to travel with a large double buggy, shopping and a toddler on buses once. I'd always make way for a wheelchair user and I don't think that makes me especially virtuous. I'm agog that anyone would even query it.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.