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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

in thinking this guy is unreasonable?

54 replies

misdee · 03/04/2007 21:44

amputee asked to show his bus pass surely ther point of having a disabled bus pass is so that you show it?

driver was rude, yes agree. but doesnt everyone have to hsow their pass? even if the disability is obvious? otherwise whats the point?

OP posts:
colditz · 03/04/2007 22:41
Chandra · 03/04/2007 22:43

Misdee, I don't know if the following would help, but some people is just stupid. Aside of the disabled group, my DH was once almost denied boarding a plane because he didn't have a visa for Spain, regardless of carrying a Spanish passport...

Original poster
misdee · 03/04/2007 22:43

colditz.

bus passes issued here in herts are for travel only in herts. wouldnt be entitled in bedfordshire etc even though we are right near beds.

see what i mean?

OP posts:
colditz · 03/04/2007 22:47

yes, I do now. I didn't know that though, I thought they were country wide.

hunkermunker · 03/04/2007 22:47

I think that if you drive a bus in an area where disabled people get free bus passes, then anyone with a disability should get free bus travel. People with disabilities are hardly going to travel to other parts of the country just to get a free trip on a bus, are they?

"I may have no legs, but I can get a free bus trip round Kidderminster, so I'm going to travel up from Edgware at my own expense just so I can get the freebie"

Haven't read the article, admittedly [lazy]

JodieG1 · 03/04/2007 22:48

Being just slightly too pedantic imo.

ravenAK · 03/04/2007 22:48

A teeny 11 year old in too-big blazer -obviously school student. But a strapping six footer in jeans & hoodie could be a Year 11 on non-uniform day/collegiate course & be just as entitled to half fare.

So, issue them with passes - saves any argument.

Equally, a guy without legs, in a wheelchair - obviously, he's disabled. But it doesn't take too much imagination to think of a less 'obvious' disability - severe arthritis maybe?

What's unreasonable about expecting someone who is entitled to a discounted fare to show a pass confirming it? It's NOT the bus driver's job to make judgment calls about precisely how disabled a passenger is - it's his/her job to charge the correct fare or accept valid passes.

hunkermunker · 03/04/2007 22:48

Could I have said "free" or "bus" more [wonders]

JodieG1 · 03/04/2007 22:48

Hunker - totally agree with that.

Original poster
misdee · 03/04/2007 22:49

hunker lol you need to read it.

OP posts:
JodieG1 · 03/04/2007 22:50

Raven - judgement call about if someone with no legs is disabled

Aloha · 03/04/2007 22:50

Oh but misdee I KNOW you wouldn't begrudge him free travel and you must know what bastards some bus drivers are. I've met a couple of complete horrors.

Original poster
misdee · 03/04/2007 22:50

hunker, disabled bus passes cover you in the area you live in. if you travel outside of that area you have to pay.

OP posts:
Original poster
misdee · 03/04/2007 22:51

I am NOT begrudging him free travel. just say, if you have a pass, then the point of them is to show it when you get on the bus. surely!

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 03/04/2007 22:51

Yes, I realise you have to pay if you travel outside the free bus pass area with a disabled pass, but I think that's a pretty bobbins rule though. I mean, it's not like your legs grow back if you cross the council border, is it?

hunkermunker · 03/04/2007 22:52

I agree that if there are rules, you stick to them, then you complain till you get them changed

Aloha · 03/04/2007 22:52

I must say, my view is, no legs should equal free travel everywhere!

Original poster
misdee · 03/04/2007 22:53

sorry hunker pmsl@legs growing back.

in an ideal world it would be a country wide scheme of issuing bus passes etc and free tarvel all over, but its not.

OP posts:
JodieG1 · 03/04/2007 22:55

I just can't see why he should need to show a pass. Jobsworth winner.

ravenAK · 03/04/2007 22:58

JodieG1 - yeah, I know, but that's my point.

Obviously this particular bloke is disabled. Obviously if someone gets on with NO visible disability they should be asked to show their pass.

So at what point does the driver say: 'Hang on. You don't look disabled to me. I'd better see your pass'.

Isn't it easier if EVERYONE who is entitled to free/discounted travel just shows their pass? It isn't the driver's role to decide if their entitlement.

Why's it such an imposition?

Original poster
misdee · 03/04/2007 23:02

ok another take on this, dh went to get his ticket validated at the booth, handed over his badge

'you know you have to have the disabled person with you'

'yes'

'well where are they' (guy hadnt looked at the pic)

'i am the badge holder'

'well whats wrong with you then'

if he was in a wheelchair he wouldnt have had to validate himself to the bloke in the booth, as it was all he did was take a step back and point to his trolly and pump. but even if dh had been in a wheelchair he would have had to still hand over his badge to get free parking. badges passes etc are issued for a reason. not all visable. they have to be shown for you to get your entitlement.

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 03/04/2007 23:04

I know, Misdee - I had an orange badge myself when I was 22 and had no visible ailment. The looks I got getting out of a car in a disabled spot...

2shoesonanegghunt · 03/04/2007 23:05

ravenAK good point

Original poster
misdee · 03/04/2007 23:06

did you wave the badge at the, as you put it up hm? dh holds his between his teeth until we are out of the car park so its visable, or plays the drums on the dashboard with it lol.

OP posts:
edam · 03/04/2007 23:17

Agree with Misdee, it's hardly the world's worst crime, a bus driver asking someone to show their pass. Strikes me the passenger is a bit of a delicate flower if his feelings are so easily hurt.

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