Bus travel and wheelchair space

[Rosr]

Hello, I'm a wheelchair user. Things have become complicated. Could we start with any ideas and comment on issue's you have?

What are your complications? That would be a good start.

What has made it complicated? That’s probably the best starting point for changing things

I have no particular issues but what difficulties are you experiending

i'm a part time wheelchair user and i've been told that no one has to give the wheelchair space up specifically for wheelchairs and that its first come first served basically so if i cant get on its just tough

Can you explain more what your complications are ? Your post is a bit vague

Hello, I have had difficulty too. Legally it's not enforceable. I'll explain. I'm trying to get another space for buggies. Remove two seats opposite, but we need to apply pressure. I need some backing from other wheelchair user's and unhappy mothers/buggies.

You see from my experiences with ds I actually don’t think more buggy space would help wheelchair users. I think if anything it would add to the sense of entitlement from some Parents

This might be company specific. Our local buses have fold up seats on both sides for wheelchair users and buggies.

We also have fold up seats on both sides and and a backrest specifically for wheelchair users, there are signs up asking for buggies to be folded if possible. The problems seem to arise when passengers have shopping trolleys and buggies, they block the aisles and many fare paying passengers are forced to stand the whole journey.

My Dd is a wheelchair user. On one occasion the bus driver didn't lower the bus for her to use the ramp and if I hadn't been seeing her off and been behind her to catch her she would have tipped back and hit the back of her head on the pavement.
If another wheelchair user is already occupying the space she can't get the bus.

Which area are you campaigning in OP?

Frequently the space for pushchairs or wheelchairs is often died with bulky luggage or shopping trolleys. The decrease in size of luggage racks on buses doesn't help.

As a Mum with a pushchair I always make space for or get off the bus for a wheelchair user.

Frustratingly heavy luggage is often abandoned or people pretend to ignore the need to shift it.

Im campaigning for change. I've had comments from passengers, been blocked in by baby buggies and I decided something has to be done. We could see what the needs are and how this could be fair for buggies and wheelchair. I suggest mother's start looking to their needs and wheelchair needs.
Is anyone interested in a campaign?

Wheelchair space is for wheelchair users, the only thing i would campaign for is for that to be legally enforced.

Our buses have two sections already, so one buggy/scooter side and one wheelchair space. But obviously if no wheel chair user is present the drivers usually let another buggy into that space. So the norm is two buggies, some times 3 if the driver and the parents are smart enough to turn them side on (does partially block the isle but if you have folding handles that solves that).

Our companies main issue is that they enforce the rule of wheelchair space for wheelchairs even if you’ve been on the bus with your buggy from the first stop and have paid to travel to the end of the route regardless to where the wheelchair user is getting on or off, there’s no luggage racks or spaces large enough to fold down a pram to allow the wheelchair on and fold down a pram not a small umbrella fold buggy.
I’ve literally witnessed a mother and new baby being told to get off for a wheelchair user who travelled two stops (less than 10minutes) up the road, my main worry was that bus passed a hospital with a mat/Pediatric unit so thinking about having an appointment with a baby and being 30/45 minutes late because you couldn’t finish the journey you’d paid for/planned to take. Understandably the wheelchair user could also have a hospital appointment but I still think it should be first come first served if they won’t provide a luggage section large enough to fold a pram into.
They’ll also kick off mobility scooters in the same situation, simply because it’s a wheelchair space even though they’re both mobility aids

Wheelchairs should always take priority over prams in the WHEELCHAIR space.

Parents can fold prams. Parents can make a choice of which pram they get. Wheelchair users don’t get that luxury. they get one space on the bus they can use and then only reason they shouldn’t be able to get in that space is if another wheelchair user is using it.

There need to be more fold down seats so they can be collapsed for wheelchairs or prams

I wish people would just understand that a wheelchair space is for that.

These threads are always the same,

Another thing that worries me is that on our buses there's basically just a space for the wheelchair user to drive into. They often don't have long to get themselves positioned and there's no clarity as to how they are supposed to positiion really. But I'm really concerned as to what would happen if there was a crash. There seems to be nothing to prevent the wheelchair being flung around the bus. There is a rail they can hold onto but I'm not sure that's sufficient.

I think there should be space on buses for wheelchairs and pushchairs. If we are to encourage people to use public transport the it has to be accessible for all. It isn't always possible to fold especially with a young baby in a pram.
DD is well past the pushchair stage but the bendy London buses had more spaces for both I recall. The "luggage rack" at the front of buses is occupied by a fixed holder for the Metro newspaper (trash in both senses) so removing that would free space for bags.
To be honest of everyone was considerate of others needs on public transport that would help!

My 3 year old DD still uses a pushchair and we often get public transport to appointments as DD loves it.

I've had it before were I've folded the pushchair so a wheelchair can get on (I have a small umbrella fold type stroller) and then had DD sat in the nearest available seat and me stood where the holding handles are on the bus holding the pushchair, and still been asked to get off.

Was quite inconvenient as DD had an important hospital appointment.

I've also seen it where the bus has had a wheelchair on it and then the driver has refused another wheelchair on. Buses here are supposedly every 20 minutes but it's more like once an hour due to the amount of roadworks etc.

More needs to be done to encourage the use of public transport, but what I don't know. Neither of the above situations where fair or right.

A crash is one thing that worries me too. The wheelchair have to face the back of the bus. How about the safety of your babies? My wheelchair is crash tested with electro magnetic brakes, the buggies would not stand a chance if hit by flying luggage or if in wheelchair space.
Cars have safety standards, what does a bus have? It seems to vary with different bus companies. I feel it's an important issue. As a mother/great grandmother Im not happy!

I'd like to see seatbelts on buses, safe storage for luggage.

Hi Op, If I were you I would campaign for a public awareness campaign, advertts on tv, posters, radio on the back of tickets ect. People need to have no option to be ignorant twats without being publically shamed. If people have consistent reminders, it will help, because they won't be able to look away! My nephew uses a wheelchair and people's attitudes stink on public transport.

I know I've been shouted at by passengers, told a baby needs the space I'm in. I don't like a baby buggy with baby across my feet. This is why I've come to mumsnet. I've been blocked getting a bus, by two mother's. Had to wait for three different buses. I want to see a solution to this problem not argue with other mother's. Yes, there should be some shaming, now is anyone interested in writing to the bus companies in their areas, bus traveller groups, MPs. The safety of children and wheelchair users is what's at stake!!!!!