who was unreasonable , wheelchair uses , other mum with pushchair or me.

[mummywithsmiles]

Took daughter on bus today she is 14 weeks old and on oxygen ,the oxygen cannister is in the basket under pushchair.

when i got on there was already one pushchair.. I parked next to her.

2 stops later a man with a wheel chair got on.

bus driver asked if i could put pushchair down which i explained why i couldn't. Anyway other mum with toddler in pushchair refused to move and put hers down. I was then asked to get off the bus as wheelchairs have piority. I refused as the other women claimed she was on the bus first. In the end i got of the bus , she put hers down and wheelchair user got his place.

It’s not just about the sodding law, is it?

As far as the company is concerned, it will be (though I've posted upthread that I think in cases like this it's crap that people can't negotiate compassionately - sounds like the OP was abominably treated by the other passengers)

As PP have said, the issue is really bus design

Part of the issue is other people being dickheads.

The judge in the case ruled that a disabled wheelchair user takes priority over a non disabled pushchair user. No mention was made of a disabled pushchair user( there wasn't one involved in the case) so the ruling doesn't apply when the pushchair user is disabled. If bus companies are saying a sn buggy must make way for a wheelchair it is a policy with no law behind it.

You as an oxygen baby is surely a disability and you were there before the wheelchair user.

The wheelchair user.

Pram mother. Who should he ashamed of herself.

spikey I can't see any evidence that the law makes provision for a disabled non wheelchair user. I absolutely agree that it's common sense that an SN buggy is a wheelchair for a child, or that the OP's child has a disability requiring a buggy - but until there is a case contesting this, there is no law, as far as I can see.
No mention was made of a disabled pushchair user( there wasn't one involved in the case) so the ruling doesn't apply when the pushchair user is disabled
The ruling applies full stop.

Wonder if I can get hold of the case

Quite right that the judge ruled discrimination in the case rootypig mentioned. There is however a difference between a child sleeping in a buggy and one dependent on oxygen under the buggy.

Also, the case cites the equality act which does not apply to a broken leg (although I would still hope wheelchair would have priority in most cases).

Thumbs up to the last sentence though which talks about making public transport accessible to ALL disabled users.

BTW OP - I'm not saying you should take the bus company to court but the article is encouraging if you are.

sorry I meant to write the ruling applies full stop, until qualified

argh phone! sorry
the ruling applies full stop, until qualified, as far as the bus companies are concerned

but yes the Equality Act of course is supportive of your DC spikey and yours OP

My daughters issues are long term she will probably end up home ventilated as time goes on. I just have no other way if getting around at the moment x

Sounds like you're coping magnificently OP

Am not totally anti large buggies being used on a bus but I think they should pay a surcharge: that way if your car breaks down and you need to go shopping / to an appointment you can, but it would not be worth the cost if you use the bus often.

I used to catch the bus with a double and two babies under 18 months every day, in rush hour. It was a PITA but if I had to I folded. Goodness knows how looking back, but I managed it.

I consider myself to be part of a SN Clan btw, with 3 disabled kids. not through choice, but because intolerance and bigotry marginalised us and pushed me that way.

We have an orange badge here btw, it's for people with communication disorders, just a wallet that you flash as you get on, to alert the driver you might need help.

Speaking as someone who has had a broken leg, full hip to toe plaster, it is not actually a big deal and a wheelchair is definitely optional. I actually continued to work with my broken leg, but that was my choice, most people would seize the chance to be signed off for at least 8 weeks - and take priority on buses, it would appear.

An ill baby should be everyone's priority. OP, I would write to the bus company to complain and get a letter from your GP to use in future stating your baby has medical needs that require priority on public transport.

I think you should have priority in this case. but if someone was being a sticker for rules then I suppose the wheelchair stipulation may have taken trump unfortunately.

Can you get a GP/Consultant's letter to produce if required? A pain I know, but perhaps it might help if you're in the situation again.