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.

oh yeah 9 times out f 10 people would most likely help. but there are people who look away pretend they cant see you struggle. or tut and do nothing to help. but yes i agree i hope to think someone would help.

"Should she automatically have more right to be on a bus than someone with 2 babies? " to be in the WHEELCHAIR space? YES!

I've also been a nanny (before I could drive too! ) plus several lots of twins in the family.

i dont think it makes people entitled/selfish to want to use the bus.

Or wheelchairs users I should say. I'm so used to saying disabled I forget the difference on buses.

You should choose a suitable buggy for public transport. I cannot choose to walk and be able. I'd love to have choices.

Having children does not legally afford you rights such as; equal access. Being disabled is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.

The bus company has a duty to provide a wheelchair user space. There is no such duty to provide space for buggies.

I'm a parent. I know the stresses but it is categorically not the same as being disabled. If you cannot see how utterly disgraceful and offensive that you dare to make even casual comparisons, then I dispair of you.

We are loaning you our wheelchair spaces. I am more than happy to share. I am happy to help you when I can. I will not stand by and see disabled people missing work, hospital appointments or just life in general when they are legally entitled to a space that you are not.

It's like borrowing a thing else. When the owner asks for it to use you give it back!

Anything else

purple yes in the wheel chair space it says you may need to fold your buggy for a wheel chair user. so its more of a you may use this space for a buggy if its not needed by a wheel chair user.

just a thought. is it sometimes that the driver cant be arsed to wait for the buggy to be folded and put the ramp down for the wheel chair user?

sorry, just realised that the difficulties of someone with 2 babies had already been raised upthread. Its sad really, what is being debated here. I have a child with a hidden disability now. It affects every aspect of our daily life although he is not in a wheelchair at the moment. I have noticed how people are so quick to argue how he is not entitled to this, that and the other (as he is not disabled enough/isn't in a wheelchair even though he is just as unable to use a general space toilet for example as a wheelchair user). Much the same way this thread has gone. Someone looking after newborn twins doesn't have it tough enough to use the disabled space as "it is a wheelchair space" repeat ad nauseum. Basic human decency (on both sides) dictates that we look at each other and see if we can accomodate so we can all travel. If we genuinely cannot then one gives for another. If someone isn't in a hurry etc they ideally should be kind enough to give way. If both need the space then the person on first keeps it. Ideally there are 5 spaces so all who need can travel, but if there aren't, I don't understand why one person with special needs should trump another.

If someone lent you their car, would your expect them to walk if you still had it when they wanted it back? No of course not as its not your car. It's not your space! It's a wheelchair space!!!!

I'm glad that parents' lives are made easier. There are plenty of routes and times of day that probably don't see many wheelchair users, so parents with buggies get to make the most out of it. It is probably a non issue for most parents with buggies.

I do get very upset when people on here say "but they won't help hold my child/ren" as if it's an alien concept. Believe me, as a disabled person, I hear all the damn time how people can't help me. I am invisible when I'm on my crutches. Do you know how humiliating it is to practically beg for a seat on a tube? Or when you mobility scooter knocks something over in a shop because the aisles aren't wide enough? Or when you have to be pushed in the road because cars are parked on the pavement? I have children. They have to witness other people making my life so hard. It breaks my heart. I wish people would consider our feelings. I am not just a disabled person. I am a person.

not sure having kids is a special need. People had twins and prams before wheelchair spaces. What did they do?

mine does not fold. unless the seats are taken of. its not a big one either.

I don't think you were unreasonable and I think you should complain.

I'm about to have a baby and the pram we have is admittedly huge, and won't fold, but I would always move and even get off for a person in a wheelchair if need be. Don't even need to think about it, I'm clearly still in a far more privileged position than the wheelchair user in that I have the option to move easily.

Luckily where I live has good tram links with great amounts of priority space so I don't think I'll have too much trouble.

my buggy doesn't fold

So what the hell are you doing taking it on a bus?

It was actually the bus driver who was insistent in my case. The wheelchair user was ok and said they were happy to wait for the next bus, as they could see what position i was in, and as I said I would have got off if he had have given me my money back on my Oyster card (or a ticket which wasn't offered either) so I could get the next one. I would have had to walk 7 miles with 2 screaming kids which I wasn't prepared to do either. I can't believe that anyone, wheelchair users included, especially someone that has kids themselves, would be happy to see that happen to anyone with a newborn baby.

1987 we all walked.. probably healther to more excersize.

well as i said i 100% agree a buggy should have to move for a wheel chair user. im just saying i can understand its difficult as well.

And can we please stop with the "it's so unfair"

Unfair is watching a seven year old struggling with the simplest of tasks because she has cerebral palsy.

Unfair is not having to fold a buggy and hold twins on a bus.