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.

How,by not travelling on buses?

Lovely empathy.

You know in an ideal world people would be happy to share and think of a way to ensure all people who need public transport could use it.

You are not being bullied retropear.

Not even close.

I have rarely seen a poster on a discussion like this, despite having things explained to them so clearly and given suggestions as to alternative, still keep on with an attitude of 'I don't care what the law is, my need is equal/greater'

Wrong and strong.

In your opinion.

Just exactly what part of "wheelchair users have priority for that space" is truly difficult to understand?

For heaven's sake, it's not an optional stance, you know. Everyone else (such as those with pushchairs) need to fold and move or leave the bus. It's pretty basic.

If that's a problem, find alternative methods of transportation, find a smaller easier to fold pushchair, use a sling or carrier of some sort, carry less shopping on the pushchair, prepare ahead for journeys, ask for help, take a taxi, learn to drive.

Waaaay more options than the wheelchair user has, you know.

How,by not travelling on buses?

It is only you that has suggested that.

Logical planning would be a good start. That and not acting so bloody helpless.

Lovely empathy

Irony.

Sorry Dizzy the cheap umbrellas don't steer and are impossible to move with 2 and a buggy board.

The lightest and thinnest was the Nipper 360 when I had my 3,it was the only buggy I could use.I could steer it with one hand(crucial).

I honestly find it so difficult to believe that you can repeatedly state that your choice to have three small children means that you should have the same entitlement to use a wheelchair designated space as a person in a wheelchair. I know people think this, but to be so pig-headed as to constantly state it openly? Wow.

I'm not saying that Amber- at all as you well know.

I have said what I think.

Buggy spaces or two sides of fold up seats combined with guarantees displayed saying drivers will stop the bus,fold,escort and seat.

Sorry, but unless you had triplets, you had at least some choice in having babies that close together. If you travel by bus regularly, then you have to take some responsibility in making decisions that affect that. I had two children fairly close together and getting them on and off the bus was difficult. With both babies (as I had different pushchairs), I practiced opening and closing the pushchair in my living room until I was confident I could do it with one hand. I asked for help (and always had someone happy to do so) if needed.

Wheelchair users have no choice in the matter. The space is there for their use. And that's it, really.

How many times did you have to fold it on the bus, retro? Or were you asked to get off on a dual carriageway because a wheelchair user boarded, twirling his moustache and laughing maniacally?

Sorry, I am just still not sure if you actually did ever have to fold for a wheelchair user?

I'm not saying that Amber- at all as you well know

Well, I don't think I am alone in thinking that is how your words are coming across.

I have said what I think

Yup, you have. I'm appalled at the selfishness of it, but I see this attitude all the time when we're out with DC in his wheelchair, so I can't say I'm that surprised to see someone voice it so blatantly.

Or were you asked to get off on a dual carriageway because a wheelchair user boarded, twirling his moustache and laughing maniacally?

HEY! I'll have you know I do not have a moustache!! Now, get back to me in about 10 years, and I may not be able to make that claim. Aging is an evil process.

Apologies Alice

Obviously I am referring to ds (3.6) and his fine twirly moustache.

Hazey I rarely used the bus because it was a bloody nightmare as it was,as a consequence I often felt quite isolated.Many mums of multiples do.I'd hate for this to get worse and multiple mums put off completely from using public transport.

It's the expectation that buggy space should happen without any effort being put in that baffles me.

The wheelchair space - as that is what it is IN LAW - was hard won after decades.

I'd support the concept of buggy spaces if the effort was made to request provision instead of hijacking a space that is defined in law for wheelchairs.

I'll elaborate that my definition of hijack as those who refuse to fold or leave when a wheelchair user requires it - I've no objection to the space being 'borrowed' by buggy users when it's empty and not needed.

Oh and on the subject of drivers 'taking off' tell me about it. Positioning the chair, applying brakes and sitting down - I've been projected into the side of the chair whilst half sitting before now.

crossposted Jaded

Now that would make a fine photo!

The point is, no group is being booted off!

Don't be such a victim fgs.

Plan ahead, make sure your buggy is foldable and get a backpack for all the baby paraphernalia. Use a sling/reins etc.

No one has to be booted off a bus, they just need to be prepared to move out of the WHEELCHAIR SPACE if need be.

Nobody said anything about "gleefully" booting off one group. But neither does that mean those with pushchairs have priority over the wheelchair space. The fact remains it is primarily there for wheelchair users. And that's that.

You can argue that it's unfair until you're blue in the face, but until you're prepared to contact bus companies or put some effort into making more space for pushchairs, then they need to fold and move or get off the bus.

The wheelchair users generally have one, maybe two spots on the whole damn bus that is earmarked for them. The pushchair users can petition for the whole rest of the bus for all I care, as long as they leave the wheelchair spots available when needed by wheelchair users. Because that is what they are for.

hazey 3yo and a twirly mustache? I'm impressed! He'll be a Tom Selleck lookalike when he's 20. (oh heavens, THAT dated me, didn't it?)

Well I'm off to put my kids to bed, the rather spiteful troll hunting also makes this a fruitless discussion.

I've said what I had to say.