Another buggy in wheelchair space thread

[MsAR]

I got on the bus at the same time as a wheelchair user was queuing to do so. The driver told the wheelchair user there wasn't room, so I quickly checked and saw it was a buggy and a shopping trolley in the space.

The driver told the wheelchair user there would be another bus in a few minutes and they didn't seem to mind and weren't particularly insistent about getting on.

Was I being unreasonable to step in at this point and tell the driver that the person with the buggy should get off as wheelchairs have priority? He was pretty annoyed when I did, and kept repeating that there wasn't space.

I'm in London, and there are clear signs on every bus stating this is the case. I've often had to get off a bus when a wheelchair needed to get on and would never question if asked to do so.

Would it also be unreasonable for me to complain to TFL? I know I'm being a busy body but the driver's attitude really irritated me! I'd like the mumsnet jury to help me decide what to do, if anything.

I wouldn't be able to fold my pram up & put my 2 year old bolter down to do it, he'd probably run of the bus.

I keep a cheap pair of reins on the bottom of the buggy for situations like that. If there's no one who can hold onto him for me then I put the reins on him so he's secure while I sort it. The ones I bought have got a wrist loop on the end of the parent strap so I don't even need of actively hold them, I can just loop it onto my wrist.

Interestingly, a lot of wheelchair users can transfer to a seat if needed or walk a short distance. Helping them fold their wheelchair helps too!

Is that sarcasm? My DM currently uses a wheelchair following an operation and, yes, she technically can hobble a few paces and technically can sit in a standard seat but she'd be incredibly uncomfortable for the duration of the journey and would potentially do herself damage particularly if someone was to accidentally bump into her while she's dragging herself around the bus.

Like many situations in life, the overriding rule of thumb is this: don't be a dick.

Of course wheelchair users should take priority in the majority of situations. Their transport options are inevitably going to be more limited and challenging than average.

However, one would hope that common sense prevails in certain cases - e.g. a mother with twin babies in a double buggy and a tired tantrumming two year old on a buggy board - should get pretty high priority too. They probably wouldn't be choosing the bus if they had other transport options either.

It's first come first served.

A baby is like a tiny disabled person.

Both things actually said on these threads regularly.

Oh and that wheelchair users can fold their wheelchairs to the max

God these threads are so fucking depressing!

Kp "But I know how long my days can be with DC out and waiting for a bus in the rain or crappy weather and being totally exhausted and just wanting to get home, I can tell you how I'd feel being asked to get off the bus!"

No one is asking you to get off the bus but to fold your buggy
And you chose to have children, the wheelchair user didn't choose their situation

Crazy comparisons here

Probably one of those situations where until you've walked a mile... (no pun intended)

Really? Of course you intended it. And it's offensive.

i think buggys should be folded for a wheel chair. its never happend to me yet but i dread it when it does. dont know how on earth i would fold a double pushchair with 2 non walking babys. but i still agree that wheel chair should take priority. from what i have seen wheel chair does not take all that space and there is often room for wheel chair and one buggy. what really pees me of is empty buggys in the space. and shopping trollys on buses. although i know im just being a cow with that one.

Why do people want their kids tobe disabled?
They seem so jealous of a wheelchair space

I agree normal prams/pushchairs should move.. However did we ever agree on mn what should happen if you have a disabled child in a normal pushchair?

No not sarcastic at all, just mentioning that if people would help, then more people can get on the bus. People seem quite surprised to see someone in a wheelchair do that and with a bit if help might be able to get on the bus rather than everyone presuming that it's not possible. Sometimes two wheelchairs need to get on and with only one space...

Actually, I didn't. I didn't realise the pun until I had already written it and wasn't purposely being offensive. Clearly I misjudged the audience.

But anyway, I can see I'm in the wrong in most people's views.

Attempting to bow out gracefully now.

Needa I was accused of being disablist recently on MN

So a baby cant be. Moved, but a person can get out of their wheelchair...only on mn

Ugh. Then you'd use common sense and delete it when you noticed it.

Just leave it. Goodness me you made such a fuss when the wheelchair user was cool with the situation. They didn't need you getting involved.

Wheelchair users are so used to being told they can't go somewhere they can lose the will to fight everytime it happens. And it happens often. It's like fighting a losing battle and judging by comments here you can clearly see why. It's not patronising for someone to take up the case, it's novel, it's enlightening, it's just plain nice not having to always do the fighting youself. It gets weary constantly fighting for a right you already have but struggle to experience and having to justify your existence to others. So I think the OP was right to moan at the driver and is right to complain, for all the good it will do.

I think it was pretty patronising to wade in. The wheelchair user might not have been in a hurry. If they had wanted to press the point I am sure they would have done so themselves.

We need Jesus on the bus so he can make people get up and walk so babies don't have to be moved. Surprised people don't suggest that.

That is goo fanjo very good

What Foofoobum said. It's called being an ally.

Or you get off the bus, I couldn't fold and on about 2 occasions I got off bus. I survived,