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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To think it's common sense to let a w/c user have the w/c spot

957 replies

SparkyStar84 · 18/01/2017 14:41

I've just seen the ruling on disabled people getting priority in disabled spots on buses. Isn't that common sense. What kind of person would deny a w/c user the space because 'pushchair'?
I'm a w/c user it makes it easier in a way to get about with children, though I know some w/c users still have a buggy.
This is about the parents who refuse to move, when asked, by someone who might have an appt or something important to get too. Not saying the parent doesn't. But isn't that the point of foldable buggies over great big travel systems?
It just bugs me that people have had to leave the bus because a parent wouldn't move. As a parent with kids of many ages, also remembering times gone by, the purpose of easy foldable buggies is that you can decamp when on the bus.
Do you think it's an issue that buses need to provide buggy spaces too?

OP posts:
BillSykesDog · 18/01/2017 18:04

Service can you please explain to me how to fold a buggy while holding two or three babies?

SaorAlbaGuBrath · 18/01/2017 18:04

I'm all for disabled rights, they should be treated like they were equal to normal people. But harming normal people, dragging them down to the same level, does not help anyone, least of all the disabled themselves
I'd just about held it together until this. What the actual fuck are "normal people"? Who the fuck do you think you are to label people with disabilities abnormal???? Are you fucking kidding me? Away and give your fucking head a wobble, you absolute bigot. Fucking disgusting, absolutely fucking disgusting. I swear to God if MNHQ let your comment stand I will lose my shit completely.

LightTheLampNotTheRat · 18/01/2017 18:05

'I'm all for disabled rights, they should be treated like they were equal to normal people.' Jesus wept.

corythatwas · 18/01/2017 18:06

Trifleorbust Wed 18-Jan-17 18:01:02
"LightTheLampNotTheRat: Of course. But that doesn't mean the people who campaigned are the only people entitled to use it. The principle of accessibility should apply equally to everyone - wheelchair users, blind people, the elderly and yes, people with small children."

Totally agree with this. And if that means that there is a choice between making a bus journey bloody difficult for one person or impossible for another, then equal accessibility means that the person for whom it would be impossible has priority, wouldn't you agree? Else, how is it equal accessibility?

Sirzy · 18/01/2017 18:06

If the buses stop and refuse to move enough maybe the selfish parents will start to get the message though!

expatinscotland · 18/01/2017 18:07

'Having children is a lifestyle choice??? Mums should just "suck it up". No wonder rates of pnd are so prevalent in the uk when there is such a shitty attitude to new mothers.'

I know, whatever did we all do before those wheelchair spaces came in? However did we all survive?

GingerIvy · 18/01/2017 18:07

I'm all for disabled rights, they should be treated like they were equal to normal people. But harming normal people, dragging them down to the same level, does not help anyone, least of all the disabled themselves

WTF??? "treated like they were equal to normal people"!?!?! "harming normal people, dragging them down to the same level"?!?!

Fuck right off.

11122aa · 18/01/2017 18:07

They wont. Selfish parrents will just blame the disabled people.

Sirzy · 18/01/2017 18:07

Bill I presume your not the only person on the bus so you say "could I have some help please"

BarbarianMum · 18/01/2017 18:07

BillSykes - ask the bus driver / other passengers to give you a hand? They'll be pretty keen to help if the bus won't be going anywhere until you do.

ThisYearWillbeBetter · 18/01/2017 18:07

it's obviously also really important to be respectful of one another's views.

@louMumsnet usually, I would agree about respecting other's views. We can always learn from having to engage with ideas we don't agree with

EXCEPT in this case, it's spurious - there should be NO respect for otherwise able-bodied people (such as some on this thread) maintaining that their (otherwise able-bodied) child's buggy has priority over a wheelchair.

No respect at all.

11122aa · 18/01/2017 18:08

Until they ( and even their partner) are sacked from work once a video of their attitude goes public.

toptoe · 18/01/2017 18:08

I think it's odd that there isn't space for both. I'd hate for anyone to have to get off the bus either disabled or a mum with baby/s. Also, plenty of mums have hidden disabilities. Neither should have to leave the bus. They are both equal citizens, as is the child/children. I like the idea up thread of buses having multiple fold up seats so wheelchair users/ buggy users can go anywhere and able bodied people can stand with the pole.

BillSykesDog · 18/01/2017 18:08

But online shopping? The delivery charge is probably less than the bus fare would be.

It would be less than the difference between using a bargain supermarket like Aldi or Lidl (which don't do delivery) and the more expensive supermarkets which do offer delivery like Sainsbury's or Tesco.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 18/01/2017 18:09

I'm all for disabled rights, they should be treated like they were equal to normal people. But harming normal people, dragging them down to the same level, does not help anyone, least of all the disabled themselves.

Wow just wow.

HashiAsLarry · 18/01/2017 18:09

still That's the system they need to set up. Around here you don't get "tickets", the only way to travel on a bus is by using a prepaid Oyster card or a contactless bank card; buses don't take cash. The buses' machines are still able to print out a paper ticket that is an acceptable form of 'payment' for the next bus. The driver either doesn't know the system or is too lazy. However TfL will normally refund if explained to. Having said that, if the next bus was within an hour it shouldn't cost anyway.

I'm glad and sad this ruling was needed. Mums are very militant my way. I've had abuse for folding my buggy down from the mum who could only get on the bus because I folded down on more than one occasion Shock.

I've also been actively prevented from moving my buggy by another user when a wheelchair user wanted to get on as they didn't want to get off. Karma worked that day though because the driver sodded up the ramp mechanism and the bus couldn't move on. Next bus came along, wheelchair user got priority, we all had to disembark and barricading woman was spitting feathers whilst I walked off Grin

Whereas one time I went to disembark to allow a wheelchair user on and she told me off and told me to repark my buggy in front of her before thanking me for being prepared to get off without question. Didn't happen often apparently.

Trifleorbust · 18/01/2017 18:09

corythatwas: Within reason, I agree with you. I wouldn't refuse to move for a wheelchair user on the basis of my journey becoming a bit more difficult. I would only refuse to move if I needed to get where I was going with no delay or if I couldn't be confident of my baby being safe. If I can move, I will move. But I am not going to put my baby in danger or leave her hungry.

Joinourclub · 18/01/2017 18:10

Yes pushchairs could make way for wheel chair users. But bus companies should be making better provision so both can be accommodated. In my area the buses are used most by the elderly, students and mums with pushchairs. It is all wells And good saying 'get an umbrella stroller' but they aren't great for babies or great for holding much shopping. Most parents have a large buggy these days. As they form a large part of the customer base, buses should try to make room for them. They are the customer, they have paid for their ticket, they should t just have to 'suck up' having an uncomfortable and stressful journey. Why can't EVERYONE be catered for?

LightTheLampNotTheRat · 18/01/2017 18:10

Respecting others' views. Really @LouMumsnet, we have to respect the view about 'normal people'? What happened to This Is My Child?

BeyondTheStarryNight · 18/01/2017 18:10

"they should be treated like they were equal to normal people"

Oo goody, so you're campaigning for 48 wheelchair spaces per bus?

MrsKoala · 18/01/2017 18:11

Expat - I assume people in my position didn't go to any appointments and lived in more misery. I suppose i would have 'survived' but my life would have been much worse and i was already pretty low, so i don't really know.

ThisYearWillbeBetter · 18/01/2017 18:11

they should be treated like they were equal to normal people

Oh this is unbelievable!

Well, I'd just say here that I'm in favour of treating people with room temperature IQs as if they were normal people, because even stupid people who post such guff have rights.

Malermalergoni · 18/01/2017 18:12

Of course I always try to fold the buggy etc. I do it for wheelchairs and I do it for other mums (newborns). The other day I was ordered by a train guard to vacate my (standing) space, fold my buggy and stand in the area between the carriages (with 3kids,a baby,and a non-visible disability) to make way for a hugely obese woman in a mobility scooter type thing. She took one space for the scooter, and one space for two giant home bargains bags of pastries and biscuits hanging on the back. It fucked me right off.

SaorAlbaGuBrath · 18/01/2017 18:13

And for the record, disabled being shouldn't "be treated like they're equal to normal people". They ARE equal to able bodied people, except in the eyes of absolute thundercunts. HTH.

LumelaMme · 18/01/2017 18:13

I'm all for disabled rights, they should be treated like they were equal to normal people.
Newsflash: 'they' ARE equal to 'normal people'.
'Normal people'... Da fuk.