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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

TimeWasting · 02/08/2011 23:19

Maryz, I am keeping my knackered fold-up chair for the next baby specifically for getting on the bus, but as I say, no matter the right of it, anyone having to get off a bus is having a shit day.

alowVeraWithPurpleTwuntyPants · 02/08/2011 23:20

wonkeylegs that is what DH does, (uses pram for support) doesn't change the fact that he is in f*ing agony, and wearing splints under his baggy jeans.

CognitiveDissident · 02/08/2011 23:22

Haven't we had this thread before?

Pregnant SPD sufferer + toddler in pushchair vs wheelchair user (if my memory serves me correctly)

Birdsgottafly · 02/08/2011 23:23

But then that is perfectly valid, they are taking up the space because of a disability. Buses only really became accessable after the DDA came in because they had to, to comply with it, before that, you had to fold a pram.

mum0ftw0 · 02/08/2011 23:23

Absolutely wonkylegs
so true, people with invisable disabilities get judged and thought of being lazy 'oh fgs fold the pram, get a sling'.
No one can SEE that I'm quite anemic, or could see that my low functioning Autistic 2 1/2yr old needed the pram at that time.
I got told to get off the bus and was in a right state.
No mobility to use to fund a taxi either.

I think people shouldn't focus on judging women with prams, and should demand more fold up seats on buses, that would be a more obvious option.

Maryz · 02/08/2011 23:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mum0ftw0 · 02/08/2011 23:30

alowverawithpurletwuntypants

but don't you think your DH should just stop being lazy for godsakes, and get a sling?

TimeWasting · 02/08/2011 23:33

I couldn't walk very far, I was recovering from abdominal surgery.

We should definitely have some sticky threads in the Pregnancy forum advising of the absolute need for a lightweight fold up pushchair.
Even if you do drive, you're not supposed to for several weeks after a CS.

Birdsgottafly · 02/08/2011 23:37

Mumoftwo-the women who i have seen let their toddlers get out of the pram and then chase them up and down the bus whilst the pram takes up three fold down seats don't have hidden disabilities.

You are talking about something completely different.

Not everyone has someone who can drive them about.
It has taken two people to make the pregnancy, it is unfortunate if you are left completly alone but that is not most people's experience, we are taking about 'in the main'.
The OP is asking does disability come first and yes it does, as i said in my other post, you are agreeing because you have said that your disability or your DC's mean that you need the space!
Able bodied parents do not.

mum0ftw0 · 02/08/2011 23:39

agreed

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 02/08/2011 23:44

Cars aren't free, they cost 2k a year.

And yanbu, in my day, before they had buggy/wheelchair buses I had a little foldy buggy for using the bus and kept a harness in the basket. These days people want to have their cake and eat it, ie not walking anywhere and using huge hummer type prams that are so large they need their own postcode.

Kladdkaka · 02/08/2011 23:47

I have top trumps. I traded in my wheelchair for a walking frame (still counts as a wheelchair, sorry prammers), it doubles as a shopping trolly (bonus point), I'm autistic, so is my child, neither of us receive DLA as the forms were too complex for me fill out and I don't have a free car. Yeah, what do I win?

alowVeraWithPurpleTwuntyPants · 02/08/2011 23:49

Mum0ftw0, definitely, although not sure I would fit him into a sling and carry him.

TimeWasting · 02/08/2011 23:50

Kladdkaka, you win a seat on the bus.

As well as rashly purchasing an enormous pram I am also obese, so doubly undeserving.

biscuitmad · 02/08/2011 23:51

Wheelchairs have priority over prams.

Did they see the lady with the wheelchair???

The reason I ask is because I was already on the bus. When it got to the next stop a wheelchair was waiting to get on. I didnt realise until a passenger asked me to fold down my pram. I was busy trying to stop my lo from standing on the chair.

Both single and double decker buses need to increase the pram/wheelchair area, its too small. As a regular bus user I find it fustrating trying to squeeze my pram in the gap, when another pram is in the space. I've also seen plenty of wheelchair users, attempting to get in the space and it takes them ages because its too small.

I personally think the bus driver when he/she see's the wheelchair, should close both sets of doors. Get off his/her arse and go to the pram(s) and ask who owns them. Then tell them that a wheelchair is getting on the bus please either fold down your pram or get off the bus. And say the bus will not move until its folded or you have got off and point to the sticker on the wall. I also think they should be able to hand out a leaflet to those dumb silly women who refuse.

That would solve many problems.... however you still have one problem the old ladies who wont move their stupid wheeley bags!!!!

TimeWasting · 02/08/2011 23:53

Shopping trolley is the only way those old ladies can do their shopping.

Kladdkaka · 02/08/2011 23:55

Yeah, my poor auld mother will be proud.

alowVeraWithPurpleTwuntyPants · 02/08/2011 23:56

DH has a disabled bus pass (although he rarely uses the bus except with dd2) on one occasion driver asks [non disabled, non pram pushing, non wheely bagged] people to move from buggy/wheel chair spot so he could get on bus and sit down.

SiamoFottuti · 02/08/2011 23:57

Driver isn't supposed to leave the cab, so not so much about "getting off his arse"

devientenigma · 02/08/2011 23:57

oh can I play top trumps??

I have a ds who has downs, autism, mobility probs and a heart condition to name a few. He also has a "free" car. However when he is out with his carer who doesn't drive he needs a wheelchair space on the bus......something he does free!!

Pixel · 02/08/2011 23:59

I've been saying for years they should bring back conductors then we wouldn't have half these problems as they could help people fold their buggies/stow shopping in the luggage rack etc. Then there would be no excuses.

Kladdkaka · 03/08/2011 00:02

devientenigma, you were doing quite well and I was contemplating conceding but as your ds has a free car and chooses not to have a carer who drives, he doesn't actually need the space. Nice try though :o

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 03/08/2011 00:05

Oh I can top trump, I have two children with severe autism.

And, because i'm kind I have on occasion been known to fold my boys wheelchair/disability buggy (which he uses on very bad days if we need to leave the house )to let on more fools with mahoosive prams !

devientenigma · 03/08/2011 00:08

Except he doesn't choose, it's what you are given from outreach. However they do try and get him a car driver as tbh he won't use the bus. He is a child who has major anxiety issues and huge problems about being out in public and sometimes you are lucky or unlucky behaviourally if you are able to get him from his "free" car. So the next time people want to complain about transport, free cars, disabled benefits, think yourself lucky you are out and about as there are some out there who can't really step foot out of the door!!!

That started off fun to top Klad, don't know how it turned!!

Glitterknickaz · 03/08/2011 00:08

Can I top trump with three children with severe autism, two of which have mobility issues?
Pretty please?

Anyone want my 'free' car that costs £2k per year plus downpayment?
Take the disability too, there's a love.

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