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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To complain about the bus driver

80 replies

Complainornot · 14/08/2017 23:04

This is not a thread about who has priority over the wheelchair space at the front of the bus

This afternoon I was on the bus with my DC. Youngest was in the pushchair in the space at the front of the bus. A wheelchair user needed to board the bus and the driver, not at all prompted by me, said to her that a pushchair was in the space but there was a bus five minutes behind going to the same destination and could she wait for that one. Woman began shouting that she has a right to the space, that its a wheelchair space not a pushchair space. The shouting was unnecessary especially considering it was the driver who had asked her to wait and not me.

I said to the driver I'd fold the pushchair, not a problem at all and there was no need to have asked her to wait for the next bus. Driver told me no, i couldn't fold it because there was no luggage storage so me and the DC would have to leave the bus. I asked for a forwarding ticket and was told that they don't give them.

DC and I were ordered off the bus in an area I don't know very well. There was a bus five minutes behind I hear you say? Yes. There was. Except I only had £2 in my purse as I'd used the cash I did have to pay for our tickets on the first bus so I could afford to get on that bus.

I had to walk until I found a cash point. In this time my other DC (sensory problems, ASD) had a huge meltdown about being put off the bus then a meltdown about needing a wee because I didn't know where there was a toilet and we had to go looking for somewhere anywhere and he won't simply wee behind an emergency tree. He ended up pissing himself so when I did eventually find a cash point, wait for another bus (with his jacket wrapped around him to hide his shame) and get to our destination I also had to go and buy him a whole new outfit.

AIBU to complain about the driver putting us off the bus in an unfamiliar area with no forwarding ticket potentially leaving us stranded? I had my bank card but could just as easily left it at home if I was going somewhere that didn't require me to have money with me or the nearest cash point could have been miles away as the bus passes through several semi-final areas along it's route. At the very least they should be offering forwarding tickets, shouldn't they?

OP posts:
Original poster
Complainornot · 15/08/2017 09:51

The OP said she was 'led to believe' and that belief was based on no forwarding ticket, she was not told she would have to pay again.

The driver of the bus I got on next said I had to pay again when I asked him.

Is it one of those where you have the fold down seats both sides of the bus and the very first one being the wheelchair space (with the lockdown arm?). Because if it was I can see why she got upset

The style of bus it was only has one space at the front with a sign saying that it can be used by pushchairs but that wheelchair users have priority. That's fine, i don't have a problem with that and even if I did have a problem it would be tough as even the law says wheelchair users have priority. I offered to fold, it was the driver who took issue.

OP posts:
PeppaPigObsession · 15/08/2017 10:08

I'd definitely complain, you were in the right letting the wheelchair user onto the bus and got that thrown back in your face. I think sometimes drivers just won't even bother asking as similar happened to me:

Took my daughter to a hospital appointment, I don't drive so it's bus or beg someone for a lift. I always get the bus 2 or 3 before I need to in case this happens. 2 stops before the hospital wheelchair user wants to get on. Driver tells him he'll have to wait as there's a pushchair on the bus. I shout twice that I'm happy to fold and finally the person on the very front seat tells the driver I've said I'll fold. DD can't stand so I say to the driver can he hold either DD or fold the pushchair for me and he gets huffy and tells the wheelchair user it's not possible to get on and drives off. I complained, and I believe the wheelchair user did to because I got a reply thanking me for offering to fold and saying that next time the driver or another passenger can hold DD as if they fold the pushchair and it breaks they can't accept liability.

Sunnie2010 · 15/08/2017 10:09

The driver was an arse. What a he on about there is no pushchair rack? From what I have seen there are not many push chair racks anything. You just find somewhere to put the pushchair. Hold it, stick it in a corner, lay it on the floor. There are ways. He can't make you get of the bus unless you refuse to fold. Which you did not. I rember when the rack used to be under the steps but that's been filled in for what ever reason.

I would not have got of without a forwarding ticket. I would have folded and sat down with my child. He would look a right prat with am empty wheel chair space saying no you can't get on. Do wish they would bring conductors back

Ginoholic · 15/08/2017 10:47

Migraleve The OP clearly states in her post at 6.43 that she asked whether she needed to pay again when boarding the next bus and was told yes!

AnUtterIdiot · 15/08/2017 10:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrancisCrawford · 15/08/2017 12:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RhiWrites · 15/08/2017 19:34

OP, I think you've been very reasonable in the face of a nasty situation. I'm disappointed the second driver made you pay again. Definitely complain.

kali110 · 15/08/2017 19:49

I don't think yawbu, you offered to fold and get off. The driver should have given you another ticket.

t's the entitled shouting of the woman in the wheelchair which I don't like.
You mean arguing for the spot she's entitled to use Hmm How entitled for a wheelchair user to actually want to use the wheelchair space.

kali110 · 15/08/2017 19:50

YesFrancisCrawford it's hardly going to encourage people to get out the spot is it if bus drivers are acting like this!

Shopkinsdoll · 15/08/2017 19:57

RhiWrites
Read the bloody thread!!

AwaywiththePixies27 · 15/08/2017 22:15

OP. If you're still around. I think one of the tricks is learning to be more assertive. I was pushing a double buggy around for a while at one point then when I switched to a single for DS j remember a driver telling me "there's no way my buggy would fit in there" and I'd have to get off and ranting about health and safety.

I wasn't nasty or rude with him. I was firm and said I would be able to no problem. Folded it put in in the top and it was fine. He had no choice but to let me remain then.

Oddly enough the buggy never fell like he said it would as I'd packed it away right. Even though he said I couldn't. Sad

JessieMcJessie · 16/08/2017 16:15

kali being disabled doesn't give someone carter blanche to shout at people whenever they want to make a point.

ImDoingLaundry · 16/08/2017 17:02

If he couldn't give you a forwarding ticket he should've given you a refund for the difference (at least) seeing as you were kicked off through no fault of your own.

I'd complain and ask for my money back.

Dina1234 · 16/08/2017 17:16

You really should complain. What he did was completely unreasonable. He should have either given you a ticket or a refund.

Original poster
Complainornot · 17/08/2017 14:15

They've responded.

It is not their policy to give a forwarding ticket or radio ahead to allow someone to board the next bus with their existing ticket Angry

It gets better...........

Their policy is that the space is provided on a first come first served basis and that as I was not able to safely collapse and store the folded pushchair that I had priority and the wheelchair user should have been told to wait for the next bus Angry Angry Angry

I've sent back a blistering reply reminding them that the wheelchair user absolutely does have fucking priority and that this is protected by law. That I was not claiming priority over the space, my complaint was that I wasn't allowed to fold and when I left to make way for the wheelchair user I should have been given a forwarding ticket.

First come first fucking served indeed, what about the next bus that has a pushchair and the next and the next?! Absolute cunts and complaint has now expanded to include the blatant disregard for common decency and inclusion.

OP posts:
Letstryagainshallwe · 17/08/2017 14:19

Really? HmmIsn't it now the law that a pram must move for a wheelchair

Original poster
Complainornot · 17/08/2017 14:55

That's what the law does say.

Basically a pushchair(s) can occupy the space but if a wheelchair user needs to board then they must make way either by folding the pushchair or leaving the bus. Disability is a protected characteristic, having a pushchair is not but when everyone is polite and considerate there is space on the bus for us all, y'know?

They've totally misinterpreted my complaint and then created a new one, they're saying to people that it is fine and dandy to refuse a wheelchair user access to the space. Why can't they give forwarding tickets!?

OP posts:
Original poster
Complainornot · 17/08/2017 14:56

First come first served should only apply when two wheelchair users wish to board, not when it's between a pram and a wheelchair user.

OP posts:
FreakinDeacon · 17/08/2017 15:02

It all sounds like it could have been avoided if the bus driver had been a bit more helpful.

If it really is a safety issue not to fold the buggy then you should have been at least refunded the ticket you paid for originally as you paid for a journey you could not complete.

I can never understnad why these situations are allowed to get so out of hand when it could have been resolved so easily.

I guess everyone's hands are tied by rules - the driver has probably got management breathing down his neck about keeping to time. My BIL is a bus driver and finds it stressful when things hold him up.

Vinorosso74 · 17/08/2017 18:34

That's ridiculous! I'm in London and if you paid on contactless/Oyster the driver will issue a transfer ticket. It's not making it easy for anyone who wants or needs to use the bus.

Glumglowworm · 17/08/2017 18:40

That's a ridiculous response from them! It's first come first serve if it's two pushchairs or two wheelchairs sure. But a wheelchair absolutely has priority over a pushchair. Shocking that the bus company need telling this! No wonder their drivers refuse wheelchairs Angry

FrancisCrawford · 17/08/2017 18:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GoldilocksAndTheThreePears · 17/08/2017 19:00

I had an issue before with this, I was on bus in wheelchair/buggy space with a double buggy. Stop as bus station, picked up people, on we go. I could hear people tutting and it turned out a wheelchair user had tried to board but been turned down by driver as I was in the spot! I had no idea, the rear doors never opened, was focusing on kids. At no point did the driver ask me to move or fold or let me know. Mortified! I would have gotten off, asked for credit and waited for next one no problem.

I know I could get credit, a little ticket, as even though using an Oyster I had to get off once before. Waited for bus, checked empty buggy space, stepped on to tap Oyster, took buggy down bus to middle door only to find 2 people had nipped on and taken the space. So I asked for money back, driver was most affronted but gave me the little ticket. The most dumb part of that one was I was travelling with a disabled child who still fit into a buggy, a couple of years later they would be in a wheelchair (still are 12 years later).

FoxesSitOnBoxes · 17/08/2017 19:04

ShockAngry this is crazy!

Louiselouie0890 · 17/08/2017 19:09

Am I missing something? How is the company not offering forwarding tickets or providing a luggage space tye drivers fault. I'm sure it would be a health and safety rule to not have a free buggy that could end up hurting someone. Unless I've misread I'd be complaining to the company about the company rules.