To think that pushchairs should have same priority as wheelchairs on buses?

[SparklyC]

Today - packed bus, I was in the pushchair bit on the bus, another mum got on with a buggy loaded with shopping. People sat in space that could have held another buggy in it didn't get up so both our pushchairs had to go in one space and my pushchair is one of those big all-terrain things! Then bus driver stopped bus for wheelchair user and asked us if either of us could fold down our pushchairs/move? Well, first of all, there wouldn't have been any room for us to sit down with our babies and also have our shopping on our knee or even stored on luggage shelf once pushchairs were on. Also the bus service I travel on has a bus every 4 minutes in the daytime. So the bus driver (who obviously has to be sen to be doing the right thing) got off the bus to tell the wheelchair user that the bus was full, and would he mind waiting for the next one, which he didn't anyway. What does everyone else think? Should we mums with our pushchairs be given the same priority as wheelchairs? Should bus drivers ask other passengers to move so that we can get on, instead of (sometimes) feeling like we are an annoyance and an obstacle to them?

Sympathies with you bruffin.

I can't wait until the digital age when people can do online shops and not keep using the same pathetic excuse of "I needed to carry half of sainsburys back under my double buggy". Or using the double buggy excuse reason too.

I had one. Made sure it was one I could fold on my own. Walked pretty much everywhere when I couldn't get on the bus, my children have outgrown their double buggy.

People don't outgrow their wheelchairs.

Francis and DawnDonna the thing that always astounds me on these type of threads is the sheer wilfull ignorance of the ones refusing to fold.

"I can't fold my buggy".

Well surely if you're that exasperated over not being able to fold something apparently unfoldable. They you (generic use) should understand the wheelchair users predicament of not being able to fold their wheelchair?

Maybe he is just nice person who actially can see both sides rather.

So what are the two sides? The situation is that there is a space on the bus which is specifically designated for wheelchair users. It is made very clear that if anyone else uses that space they must vacate it if a wheelchair user needs it. What is the other side to that scenario? It's like claiming that there are two sides to the arguments about whether stealing and racism are acceptable.

Tje digital age wasnt here when mine were little, they are 19 and 21, so there is no need to be sarcastic. They had just bought in spaces on some buses, so i used them occassionally when i went to visit my DM or MIl etc.

I have been campaigning since the seventies bruffin. Long before I had children. My oldest is 32. No social media then, and trust me, I was just as arsy then.

Yabu.
I bought a fold up cheapo buggy for bus and used a sling before that. Wouldn't take an all terrain on.

Yabu.. I would have always given priority to A wheel chair user.. I would definitely have judged you as being incredibly selfish if I witnessed that on a bus.

The only exception should be if your baby is a new born. YABU, I don't know why mothers often feel so entitled.

I travel on buses 5 days a week and have never seen anyone refuse to give up the wheelchair space when it's needed by a wheelchair user.
Thing is, the wheelchair space is usually empty, so it makes sense for it to be used by people with prams/shopping trolleys/luggage, provided they are prepared to vacate it. At busy times people tend to stand there. I disagree it should be always kept empty.

As for folding prams, I'd rather wait for the next bus than fold mine. A baby or toddler is safer strapped into a pram with the brake on than held on a lap or on your hip, and where would you put the folded pram? The luggage space is tiny on modern buses.

As long as people give up the space willingly to wheelchair users, why shouldn't they make use of it?

The only exception should be if your baby is a new born.
Erm, no. Or have I missed something?

Sabzii is spot on.

There are some real haters on this post.

Sorry. I've just got visions of an irate wheelchair user literally shoving a child off a bus now.

It's never happened though but thanks for the overeaction comment it made me laugh.

talisman101 - yes it does mean you can 'shove a child off a bus'. The law says the wheelchair user has priority. The baby's parent can either fold the buggy, wait for the next bus or walk. They have a choice - the wheelchair user doesn't.

It's a wheelchair space.

Parker its not a law they can't make a parent get off if she /he doesn't want to..say the bus driver wouldn't move till you got off and the police were called a policeman couldn't make you because it's not a law /

My fil doesn't have a budget for a cab. Neither does my son. Is this a new benefit?

Ok Francis Crawford go pay yourself on the back baby meaning 0-1year .

For the first time in my 8 years as a parent, a bus driver last week finally said if a wheelchair had wanted on i would have to fold up my buggy(there had been an irrate mum the week before that had either attacked the wheelchair user or their companion).

I dont see why its a problem! Never store crap in my basket just incase of this situation

I did once have to take the dt's out in car seats when they were tiny to fold it up, the fear of how id manage that with just two hands was real but two lovely ladies were desperatly jumping out their seats for a wee shot!