Buggies must be folded by law, if a wheelchair user wishes to board

[BerniceBroadside]

I know this can be a hot topic so thought I'd share that stagecoach have new signs on their buses stating that buggies must be folded by law if a wheelchair user wishes to board. Let's hope it's actually enforced.

I saw something today that made me think of this thread. Busy shopping centre where the multistorey car park at the top shares lifts with the two level shopping centre. So for those going to the car park, it it pretty much fair enough that they will use the lift (i.e. escalators not an option, and it is lots of stairs).

A young man in a wheelchair joined the back of the lift queue. When the lift arrived, everyone piled in, so by the time it was 'his turn' he couldn't get in and had to wait (and they notoriously take an age). But there was space for at least another two or three standing adults in the lift. If they had simply allowed him to board first, or towards the beginning, they could all have slotted in around him and fitted in one lift.

But I bet they thought that they were being 'fair', because there was a queue...

Yanbu, pushchairs should always be folded for a wheelchair user.

I can't drive because of a form of epilepsy, I am very lucky because it does not affect my day to day life as I only have very occasional lapses.

So I do have to use the bus or train, I am stuck with it, but the thought of taking a pushchair or pram on one was awful, so I simply don't. The DC like to sit upstairs or at the back, anyway.

I can't join the ranks saying just fold it and hold the baby etc, that would be hypocritical of me because I would have no idea how to do that myself, but I would say if it doesn't fold don't use it or simply fold it at the bus stop when you're waiting for the bus as most round here seem to. On that note, does anyone else get on non-accessible buses or is my town still living in the stone age? About 1 in 3 buses round here has steps and rail, and full seated carriage. I have no idea how people who need to use wheelchairs manage :( That should be addressed too

I agree it's unacceptable for wheelchair users to be verbally abused for excersing their right but a polite thank you wouldn't go amis. Or allowing me with a double buggy to get off before getting on and causing a blockage.
I also if their is space for both like there is my buses I don't see why I should be turfed off when both of us can fit just fine. I have argued with a bus driver over that before.

Well tbh drivers shouldn't be turfing anyone off the bus. There is no reason why, by just thinking a bit and cooperation from other passengers (moving out the way or dropping back a row, holding babies/bags etc) that anyone needs to leave the bus.

For instance, if someone only has to go a couple more stops, then you can stand by the door with a double buggy and just get off out way at the stops then back on. Not ideal to block the gangway but for two stops it's not any worse than those trollies. (Provided it's not full of people standing )

I agree Giles but the fault lies with the bus driver, not the disabled person.
It's completely at the drivers discretion to see who fits where and sometimes you will get a nob of a driver that will turf a mother of a newborn off although there is room for both her pram and the wheelchair user.

If that happens people need to complain!! I've been driven past before because drivers can't be bothered. And of course the complaints department need to take it seriously. don't want a fricking free ticket how about firing such lazy rude drivers

Driven past with a buggy. Not a WC. One that can easily collapse!!

You have no idea what you would do if you were in a wheelchair if you make statements like that.

Maybe, but I know it would make feel really really terrible putting a mother with too babies and a toddler off a bus.

make me feel.

As I said I don't dispute that WC users have priority.

But you wouldn't be

She'd be leaving the bus of her own accord because she didn't want the hassle of collapsing. Her choice.

Or because the driver is a knob and won't give her a chance on sort it out.

If people just act like human beings bo one will be leaving the bus.

With the limited resources for users with wheels ( wc users and buggy pushers), of course wheelchair users have absolute priority to this space. I believe only a very small numbers of entitled knobbers would argue otherwise.

However: I think that buggy users should have a separate space all together. ( and be able to use w/ C space if not in use). There are plenty of able bodied bus users who could stand or gasp walk upstairs. It would only take the space of about 4 seats to create a buggy space. Buses need to be designed to meet the needs of their users and where I'm from parents with babies make up a high proportion of this demographic.

Often on these threads people hark back to the old days of buggies not even being allowed on buses as if this is a good thing. Why?

Why do we need another thread on this? Hasn't it been done to death and then some? Yes, wcs get priority but yes it's also hard on the person with the buggy who has to either leave or fold
What else is there to say? Threads like this just make parents AND wc users scared of busesand when has scaremongering ever been helpful?

Good point Kate - this topic has been done to death numerous times.

I don't remember last time I saw an AIBU on the subject of problems that people with hidden disabilities can face on public transport. MNERS seem appalled at the thought of a wheelchair user not being able to board a bus. Lets start discussing a local man who got jeered off a bus for being autistic. He didn't need a special space just understanding and respect from driver and fellow passengers.

Good point Mary

Now does anyone have ideas for a thread which would have similar implications for awareness of hidden disabilities?

Strange how everyone on this forum is standing up for rights of wheelchair users but nobody seems shocked about the way an autistic man was treated on a local bus.

Sadly, ProudAS, I wouldn't be shocked that this has happened. I would however be appalled.

Strange how everyone on this forum is standing up for rights of wheelchair users but nobody seems shocked about the way an autistic man was treated on a local bus

This is a thread about WC users on buses though.

If there was a thread about the situation you describe, Id have something to say.

Dont assume that people standing up for the legal rights of WC users, means they arent interested about anyone else.

I could post about the crap Ive had from people on buses because Ive sat in the chairs near the doors [with a sign that says or people with disabilities or elderly] with my autistic son. What with 'he looks alright to me' etc etc.

What Amber said.

I've spent years explaining my boys (3 with ASD) and how their largely invisible disability (you can tell one is disabled from his appearance) affects and impacts on them.

But this is about wheelchair users. Ds3 and ds2 (wobbly as well as meltdown a lot) have to sit, but they can sit anywhere, no special spaces needed.

The thread is about wheelchairs - I'm not denying that. I've never seen one about hidden disabilities get this much traffic though.

I have seen plenty about things like people judging tantrums in the supermarket and whatever getting lots of traffic.