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Original poster

Disabled people need to be better looked after on trains

120 replies

Purplelife · 30/03/2018 16:55

I feel they need to be better looked after, maybe given first class seats for free, when the trains are packed and non- disable pigs refuse to get up from the disabled seating.

Did anyone see this upsetting story about a blind man who got on a train to Waterloo with his guide dog. Not one commuter got up to let him sit down in a disabled seat and watched this poor bugger in tears as well as his guide dog sliding around on the wet floor.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5556695/Blind-man-reduced-tears-stands-London-Tube.html

I think it’s an absolute disgrace that not one person on that train had an ounce of humanity. I know I hate standing up and struggling to balance myself on the train. Imagine what it is for someone blind. This man’s career before going blind was working in emergency as a doctor looking after others!

I wish I had been on that train, I would have spoke up and shamed the lot of them! Grrr!

OP posts:
SpringHen · 30/03/2018 17:23

There's always one isn't there?
true that comment was heartless BUT trains should not be selling more tickets than seats!!!

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 30/03/2018 17:23

Overcrowded trains should be banned though

that. People should not have to be put through these conditions full stop.

Commuters trains already scrapped first class at rush hour. Anyone can sit - or more likely stand - in a first class carriage.

Snoreyhell · 30/03/2018 17:24

I once travelled for two hours without a seat on crutches due to a dislocated knee. People were fantastic at NOT looking in my direction. They made an art form of it.

UpstartCrow · 30/03/2018 17:24

It would help if they had a guard on the train to deal with this kind of problem.

I usually have to throw someone able bodied out of the disabled seat on the bus, luckily the drivers are very good and back us up.

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 30/03/2018 17:26

I usually have to throw someone able bodied out of the disabled seat on the bus
with all due respect, how on earth do you know if they are disabled or not?

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 30/03/2018 17:26

BUT trains should not be selling more tickets than seats!!!

YES this!! Instead of removing seats to make more standing room they need to be adding seats. It’s disgusting that the train companies are doing this knowing what it means for their customers.

perfectstorm · 30/03/2018 17:27

There should be disabled seating in first class, that is restricted solely to those holding a disabled ticket. I've never seen first class full, so it would solve the problem.

Glad GW are doing this already.

Original poster
Purplelife · 30/03/2018 17:27

I have no idea how the elderly cope on the trains. Even off peak, the trains can be jam packed at certain times. It’s a real health and safety nightmare.

OP posts:
ikeepaforkinmypurse · 30/03/2018 17:28

the problem is that practically, commuters buy a monthly or yearly pass. There's no indication of the time they will use their ticket.

We do need more trains, more carriages if possible, and a more reliable service.

IHaveBrilloHair · 30/03/2018 17:28

A couple of years back I was travelling with a friend, I'm a wheelchair user.
The wheelchair space was almost in the honking toilet, I complained to Scotrail and was basically told to suck it up.
On the return journey, no word of a lie, when it came to pay, the staff member said to my friend, "where is the lady in the wheelchair going"

Livingtothefull · 30/03/2018 17:28

Thanks for supporting disabled people, I have posted elsewhere about the problems I have accessing public transport for my DS who is in a wheelchair.

There is a reason why you don't see that many disabled people on trains/buses; as DS has got bigger it is becoming more & more hassle to travel mostly because of selfish people refusing to give him the spaces he is supposed to be entitled to. They have got their way as it is getting to be too much to face now so we don't travel as much as we used to.

TalkFastThinkSlow · 30/03/2018 17:28

true that comment was heartless BUT trains should not be selling more tickets than seats!!!

That wouldn't work for the train he was on, which is a standard commuter route that only takes about half an hour. They would need way more trains to make up for the number of people which would usually stand. The line already includes other commuter routes and fast trains from Kent so it might not actually be possible to put more trains on the line safety.

I'm assuming you're not from the south east, or you never get on a train?

Missingstreetlife · 30/03/2018 17:28

Used to put wheelchair user in guards van with parcels. Dreadful

SpringHen · 30/03/2018 17:30

I'm assuming you're not from the south east, or you never get on a train?
you assume wrong on both counts.

if commuter trains need to utilise standing room then they should sell separate standing tickets/passes at a cheaper rate with the option to purchase seated tickets

IHaveBrilloHair · 30/03/2018 17:31

Im now no longer a wheelchair user, not because I dont need it, but because Id rather stay at home on the days I need it, it's preferable to the treatment I got when using it.

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 30/03/2018 17:32

Practically, unless you are at the beginning of the line, you have very little chance of squeezing your way through to a seat in a packed train. Sometimes there is just no space! Anytime a 12 carriages train is reduced to 8 or 4 carriages for a start.

maxthemartian · 30/03/2018 17:32

It's very distressing. We were on the tube recently in central London and a very frail elderly lady got on. No-one offered their seat! We were standing and as as someone got up I blocked the seat with my body and called her over. She seemed so relieved and grateful and said thank you so many times which made me think that mostly no-one helped her when she travelled Sad

Sashkin · 30/03/2018 17:32

There are actually very few seats on commuter trains within London these days, they've all been taken out and 'bum perch' things installed, which is marvellous if you are very short, but tall people haven't a hope in hell of perching against them

No they are shit for short people too. They are better if you have a child in a buggy as you can at least park out of the way of the doors, and hopefully also better for people in wheelchairs. Crap for people who can’t stand though.

OP I agree trains need to be much more disabled-friendly. More step-free access too.

Gwenhwyfar · 30/03/2018 17:32

Not sure about first class. Other passengers often help them get on and off and they might be on their own in first class.

UpstartCrow · 30/03/2018 17:33

ikeepaforkinmypurse
I usually have to throw someone able bodied out of the disabled seat on the bus
with all due respect, how on earth do you know if they are disabled or not?

If they look fit and able bodied I ask them.

WonderWhale · 30/03/2018 17:35

What I don't understand is whether he asked for a seat or not? It says he gave the dog the command, but when I read it, I didn't see it say anywhere that he asked.

However, each time I've asked, someone has stood up and given me a seat; not always the person in the priority seats but someone else always has done.

Thehogfather · 30/03/2018 17:36

Whilst I don't disagree op, realistically I don't think your solutions are practical at present. Eg how do you decide who is entitled to use the disabled area. Not everyone who has a genuine need will have a bb or similar, and I don't like the idea that some people would be forced to carry round and share private info to get a seat.

Realistically the best way at present would be a massive media campaign, not just about trains but life in general. So being a selfish wanker becomes unacceptable on a cultural level. Of course some people will remain wankers, but at least if in public they had to conform it would be a big improvement.

retirednow · 30/03/2018 17:37

There's no benefit paying first class so they should be abolished. There should be more,disabled facilities on trains and more consideration given for anyone who might be struggling.

Original poster
Purplelife · 30/03/2018 17:41

Hogfather - good question - maybe they can introduce a special rail card that is blue in colour that GPs can issue. It doesn’t need to say what the condition is.

A media campaign calling these people out but also urging the public to speak up instead of turning a blind eye.

OP posts:
wibs77 · 30/03/2018 17:41

I commute daily and pay £4k a year for a ticket. Last year I had major knee surgery and was on crutches for 10 weeks. I never got offered a seat and I got complained at for keeping my backpack on when standing. I am now 25 weeks pregnant and one day a lovely gentleman asked someone in priority to stand up as he saw I was struggling. ( I still have sickness several times a day) but apart from that no one has offered me a seat despite wearing a badge and standing in priority nor do the guards help.
Most mornings I get pushed past as the doors open at my station. People also will push past for a seat or even the luggage rack to lean against.
Before anyone says I should ask for a seat. I have seen 2 people in the past ask for seats and they were so badly verbally abused I swore I would never ask. The tube is no better. I have always tried to give up my seat to people needing it more than me and be aware of those standing but karma is not working.
They need to do something to help disabled and those that could do with a seat. Most people either sleep or are on their phones and the rest simply don't want to give up their seats.