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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that wheelchairs should be priority on buses?

620 replies

mamadivazback · 02/08/2011 21:05

My DS and I were on the bus today coming home from the town when I noticed a woman I vaguely know to speak to in the queue behind about 8 people with her 6YO DD who is in a narrow childs wheelchair and her DP with 2 year old son in small stroller so we waved, as you do.

Now the bus was about half full and 2 girls got on with their children in pushchairs, one with a very large Emmaljunga type and the other with a stroller and both children were happily sitting up by themselves and looked to be about 18 months old but neither thought to fold their pushchair when the lady tried to get her DD on, she had taken her DS out so she could fold pushchair and all sit together but the bus driver told her she could not get on as there were already 2 pushchairs onboard so she had to wait behind in the rain for the next bus.

I know pushchairs are entitled to use the bus but I thought you had to fold them if a wheelchair user was getting on and was quite shocked when the bus driver refused her a ticket, I spoke to her later on and she said it has happened a few times and it's just bad luck but I really don't think it's fair.

OP posts:
alowVeraWithPurpleTwuntyPants · 02/08/2011 23:05

a1980 I apologise for my last post. Got confused. Sorry.

CognitiveDissident · 02/08/2011 23:07

We don't get 'free cars'

The mobility component can be used to lease an adapted vehicle, or to pay for a taxi.

Benefits Bullshit Bingo, anyone?

2shoes · 02/08/2011 23:07

mum0ftw0 is the one who is talking crap about free cars

mum0ftw0 · 02/08/2011 23:09

Oh really, having a child means I chose all of that?

Didn't chose to not have the money to get a new pram that would fold.
Didn't chose to be anemic and bloody well exhausted.
Didn't chose to have a child whom there's no way I could take out of the pram without the whole bus hearing screaming for the entire journey, and the shit really hitting the fan. (whom is now being diagnosed as being pretty severly autistic)
Didn't chose to be a single mum with the bus ride being our only way of getting food.
I don't think peoles needs should be judged so quickly.

Now if I had been in a position where I could fold the pushchair, then absolutely I would.

Birdsgottafly · 02/08/2011 23:10

Mumoftwo- you are quoting people on benefits get the extra, some people work or their partners/parents work so it is either the benefit or the car.

If it is a pensioner in a wheelchair, they don't get DLA or the mobility componment of AA.

Misspixietrix · 02/08/2011 23:11

A1980 yes I know what you mean, just I have a pram and now my ds is walking will often fold it down before I get on the bus unless he's asleep. I had to wait in the freezing cold when my son was 2weeks old because somebody had done just that, took their baby out the pram and put their shopping in it so took up a space (hello? that's what the LUGGAGE space is there for!?) my mum once complained about them not letting her disabled friend on and got 'first come first served'...it's a weird world we live in!

Maryz · 02/08/2011 23:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mum0ftw0 · 02/08/2011 23:12

excuse me, you can get a free 'lease' on a car, my point was that wheelchair users have more transport options than someone in my particular circumstances at that time.

2shoes · 02/08/2011 23:12

people do not choose to be in wheelchairs for life
wow being jealous of someone who can't walk is a bit sick imo

TimeWasting · 02/08/2011 23:13

Maryz, was that to me? Hmm

2shoes · 02/08/2011 23:13

mum0ftw0
IT IS NOT FREE, OK DO YOU GET THAT IT IS NOT FUCKING FREE

alowVeraWithPurpleTwuntyPants · 02/08/2011 23:13

2shoes, got confused and didn't read it as a quote. Am fully aware it is not free. Get a little bit perturbed people thinking it is. Would gladly give up "free" money and car if DH, and dd1 didn't have their condition.

mum0ftw0 · 02/08/2011 23:13

Maryz, use a sling for a 2 and a half year old autistic child while I'm heavily pregnant and barely have the energy to carry my own body weight??
Are you even listening?

hester · 02/08/2011 23:14

I don't drive. I am often on the bus with two kids, buggy loaded up with shopping so can't be folded. I do get a bit tired of people (often those who are able to do their supermarket shop with cars) telling me I can just fold up my buggy - it's not that simple.

BUT there is no question that wheelchairs take priority. I have often had to get off the bus when a wheelchair user gets on. My choice is to either walk or wait for the next bus. That's completely how it should be.

ReindeerBollocks · 02/08/2011 23:14

The difference is choice.

A person doesn't choose to be in a wheelchair. Babies and toddlers can get out of pram, even if it's a struggle. Obviously the wheelchair user has priority without question (and any suggestion otherwise would be wholly ignorant) but I am amazed that the bus company didn't enforce their policy of fold or get off.

The Disability Discrimination Act does apply (which is why bus companies have a notice saying pushchairs must fold up if the space is needed by a wheelchair user) and your friend should absolutely complain to the bus company about this drivers appalling manner to enforce the companies policies regarding disability.

Maryz · 02/08/2011 23:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

2shoes · 02/08/2011 23:15

alowVeraWithPurpleTwuntyPants you and me both
would love not to have to push a massive wheelchair.

Misspixietrix · 02/08/2011 23:15

blackeyedsusan i've always thought they should have a pram and wheelchair bus, with spaces from front to back, we're missing a business opp here! :)

wonkylegs · 02/08/2011 23:15

I am also in the position of seeing a bit of both sides..... When DS was in a pram I couldn't use my sticks (one of the more visible signs of my disability) so used the pram as support instead (specifically got one that could do this) but it rendered my disability invisible once again. So I just looked like some poor knackered new mum rather than a poor knackered new mum who had difficulty walking or standing, and who collapsed several times due to the inconsiderate nature of others who even after being asked thought they knew betterAngry
Disability is not always obvious , a wheelchair is not always the worst off person... Yes this makes life a minefield for those who do have choices so don't judge what others do just do the best that you can in these circumstance Grin please thank you Blush

Maryz · 02/08/2011 23:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

alowVeraWithPurpleTwuntyPants · 02/08/2011 23:17

Not a free lease when you PAY for it.

Maryz · 02/08/2011 23:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

2shoes · 02/08/2011 23:17

i think the reason it becomes about wheelchairs is that is what the space is for. purely because most wheelchair users can't use any other seat.
it doesn't mean they are always the most disabled, just that the space is for a wheelchair so that should take priority over a pram.

TimeWasting · 02/08/2011 23:18

Ooh, is this turning into Disability Top Trumps? Wheelchair user beats autistic toddler.

2shoes · 02/08/2011 23:19

no
wheelchair top trumps pram