Wheelchair user on the bus

[Penguinpower]

Yesterday I was taking my grandmother (in a wheelchair) to hospital on the bus (London bus) and unfortunately it was rush hour as appointment was 9.10

When the bus turned up it was completely rammed and no way we could get on. The bus driver yelled down the bus that people needed to get off to let the wheelchair on and he would give people a ticket so they could get on another bus for free. Unsurprisingly people did not want to do this, a couple of people did but most people ignored and my grandma was uncomfortable with the situation and told the bus driver not to worry. The next bus that came was also rammed and so I called a taxi.

So this is more of a WWYD but do you think people should get off to let wheelchair on or not? I’m in 2 minds as around 10 people would have to get off to let us on and they could then get on other buses easier. As easier for them to squeeze on. However, they have paid for the bus and as it is rush hour they would most likely be heading to work as no one would choose to be on that busy a bus if they didn’t have to be.

My grandma doesn’t think they should have to get off and I think I probably agree but the bus driver obviously thought they should. So what do you think?

So just to be clear, in all circumstances people should get off to accommodate the wheelchair user? Even in these examples I mentioned earlier?

It’s a wheelchair space. However I hope other people would be generous and allow people who need it to have a seat elsewhere

A lot of silly arguments going on in order to defend the removing of a reasonable adjustment.

So if other people don’t offer then it’s fine for visually impaired people, people with learning disabilities, people making their way to hospital, and people whose disability makes it hard for them to wait at a bus stop for an indeterminate amount of time, to be made to leave a bus to make room for a wheelchair user?

Fact is it is rarely these imaginary people using the wheelchair spots. It’s entitled parents and able bodied people with no disabilities.

But keep do coming with these ever more extravagant scenarios as to why people in wheelchairs shouldn’t have primary access to the wheelchair space.

Why not direct your anger at the other people?

How about to the bus company who haven’t provided a service that’s adequate for the needs of all passengers, including wheelchair users and other disabled people?

Would you pay a massive increase in fares to cover extra buses?

Well yes that to but you seem to think that wheelchair users should lose out or feel guilty because other people behave in selfish ways.

But keep do coming with these ever more extravagant scenarios as to why people in wheelchairs shouldn’t have primary access to the wheelchair space

If you wouldnt automatically vacate for a wheelchair user in those ‘extravagant scenarios’ then your point is invalid.

There are circumstances where a wheelchair user wouldn’t have primary access to a wheelchair designated space.

If you wouldnt automatically vacate for a wheelchair user in those ‘extravagant scenarios’ then your point is invalid

I would always vacate for a wheelchair user. I have done. It’s a no brainer.

Are you happy that public transport operators make huge profits from providing an inadequate service

Cool beans. Answer a question with a question. Usual technique.

Not all bus companies operate at a massive profit. Dealing in sweeping generalisations isn’t helpful.

Our bus services - two out of three at any road - operate an excellent, regular service with extra space for wheelchair users

I usually stay out of these arguments but I would like to write something this time. This is because I have spent the last 3 months temporarily disabled. I had a complicated ankle fracture requiring emergency surgery and was in hospital 10 days. I was a temporary wheelchair user so I now know what it is like to be in one. Unless you are in a wheelchair with most of your independence taken away, with people who walk into you, talk over you, don't see you, its very easy to say all these things. Daily life has been unforgiving for me at times and wheelchair users deserve to have a bit of priority sometimes when everything else is so difficult! Everyone saying wheelchair users shouldn't be prioritised, I just hope you never end up in a situation where you may need to be.

UsuallyOnTime why are you so determined wheelchair users shouldn't have proper access to the only space they can travel in?

A nice thing happened on my bus last week, but spoilt by selfish, whining woman. Bus was packed (but no-one using wheelchair space). Wheelchair user and Carer tried to get on but driver said there was no room to manoeuvre W/C along the bus. Young woman with pushchair (opposite side of W/C space) said she would take the pushchair off the bus, enabling W/C to manoeuvre and swing into place, then she would get back on. Her mother (kiddies grandma) instead of being proud of her daughter, kicked up a fuss, including her "concern" that her handbag was in the pushchair. In the end, as young woman squeezed the pram off the bus (ladened with shopping hanging on the handles), she snapped "fgs mother, shut up"!!! A few passengers got off with her, W/C was manoeuvred into position and young woman with pushchair and others got back on. Only to be rewarded by the mother whining "OMG! Can't believe you had to get off the bus" Again, daughter told her to shut up!! What an embarrassment to the kind daughter and kiddie!

I think the wheelchair space is primarily for wheelchair users NO. The wheelchair space is ONLY for wheelchair users.

So if other people don’t offer then it’s fine for visually impaired people, people with learning disabilities, people making their way to hospital, and people whose disability makes it hard for them to wait at a bus stop for an indeterminate amount of time, to be made to leave a bus to make room for a wheelchair user?

No, what should obviously happen in that scenario is that able people should act with normal human consideration and sort it out. What should not happen automatically is that the wheelchair user should be prevented from using the only place on the bus where s/he can go.

Why then, does the sign on my buses read "reserve this space for wheelchair users"?

My last post was to Usually

It is a wheelchair space not a disabled space. It looks like the law will be changing to make it illegal to refuse to get off the bus when requested.