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.

hope they are not an entitled dick

good luck

The countess, very true. I practise too - and who wouldn't plan for the worse case scenario? Surely these parents think that they might have to fold buggy to make space for others no? It beggars belief that they wouldn't plan for that, and also take a fucking massive buggy on somewhere as tight space-wise as a bus?!! People make mistakes/misjudgements once sometimes (as I did as a first time mother), but to keep doing it is just stupidity.

That must be so stressful as a wheelchair user to always have to worry if you're even going to be able to board.

I'M ON!!!!

I suspect it may have been different if you hadn't been there first though...

But yay!

Good luck, Bishop!

Well done, Bishop!

I take ds in his sn buggy (also non foldy) on the bus nearly every week, every time I have a knot in my stomach that we won't be able to get on or someone will give us grief (have had difficulties in the past). As it is often a hospital appointment, there is the double panic that if we can't get on we'll miss his appointment (which has also happened) meaning a nightmare of trying to rearrange. I wish I could pass my bloody driving test, or that people wouldn't be asshats - I'm not sure which is the least likely to happen tbh!!

Just to clear a few things up...
Believe it or not I always plan ahead for the worst case scenario when on a bus. I am perfectly aware of who the wheelchair space is meant for. I plan ahead by either: using a different space on the bus when I get on so that the wheelchair space is left available. Or if the wheelchair space is the only space available then i have braced myself at the possibility of having to fold the buggy down during the journey and look to see who is getting on at every stop the bus approaches. And then if I need to I fold the buggy down. Or if there is no spaces at all I take the toddler out and fold the buggy before I get on.
And this is a biggy: if there is already a wheelchair user at the bus stop, or if one comes while I am waiting, I see them. I know they are there. If they then started "hinting" at me, I'd be over nice to them, almost sarcastic, and say something along the lines of "Oh yes I do hope there is a space for you. If you struggle getting on I'm sure the driver will help you." Just so they get the fucking hint to stfu and stop worrying about me pushing in their space.

I really don't need MNetters getting on their high horses at me I KNOW. Doesnt mean it's not hard work travelling with a pram. I know people have it harder but that doesn't mean people have their own struggles, and I have it relatively easy compared to someone with a newborn! (I never got the bus when I had a newborn/small baby. Didn't have the confidence.)

As for the baby changing areas, if are all in the same room as the accessible toilet then as a few of you have acknowledged, that's the planners fault, not mine or other parents'.
My local Morrisons is about 10 minutes away from me whereas the other supermarkets (that have seperate rooms for baby changing and an accessible toilet) are about 45 minutes/1 hour away and two bus journeys. Sorry but I'm not going all that way, especially just when I am picking a few bits up. Sod that.

:) hth

Well hopefully this thread will highlight that it's a genuine concern so you can stop being "sarcastic" and patronising

Well said, Sirzy.
Just waiting for the return bus now and yes I'm getting anxious.

On the way in a mum and daughter got on wanting to put their umbrella fold buggy in the wheelchair space. I was there. They were visibly annoyed and chuntering.

It had the little girl's DOLL in it. No I'm not joking. A doll.

They had to fold in the end. Weren't at all happy either.

Patronising. Oh give over.

You so we're, and have been all the way through.

Funnily enough I've been the able bodied parent to 2 under 18 months, then 3 under 5.

Then an able bodied parent of 1, then 2 then 3 disabled children.

Then a disabled parent of 3 disabled children - one still a wheelchair user.

The first situation was the easiest by miles.

Well I'm on the bus.
The ramp was worn so my wheels just sat there and spun. I was incredibly lucky a kind passer by offered me help and gave me a small shove so I got traction.
Driver wasn't going to help.

Bit worried about getting off safely without sliding now...

Right next to me...

I don't think the first situation isn't the easiest. I have it a lot easier than you (no I'm not boasting, just stating a fact).

I'm just saying that I wouldn't like someone hinting at me when I bloody know who the space is for. It's irritating. Maybe a better way to go about it would be to take my toddler out of the pram, fold it down and give a big smile before the other person even has the chance to start hinting at me.

Buggy user just got on and is blocking the aisle as they refuse to fold.

Meh. I'm in.

I'd be over nice to them, almost sarcastic, and say something along the lines of "Oh yes I do hope there is a space for you. If you struggle getting on I'm sure the driver will help you." Just so they get the fucking hint to stfu and stop worrying about me pushing in their space.

I'm not sure how you can say the above, and then say you're not patronising. That last post has just left me baffled.

Oh get a grip. They hint at you because they are so used to ignorant fuckers seeing them and STILL going into the wheelchair space. They don't know if you are one of those types of people or one of the people who respects the fact that the space is for a wheelchair. What hints do they give you that are a bigger hint than the visible wheelchair anyway?

So, MeandMy, are you going to contact Morrisons to suggest that they set up a more appropriate baby changing area?

Sounds like a good idea that if I'm honest Augusta.