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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wheelchair user on the bus

409 replies

Penguinpower · 22/09/2018 20:40

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?

OP posts:
SerenDippitty · 22/09/2018 21:14

I agree that bus drivers should not allow the bus to fill to the point that people are standing in the wheelchair area.

Nesssie · 22/09/2018 21:14

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ - this repeats a previously deleted post. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Bimgy85 · 22/09/2018 21:17

@AssassinatedBeauty my attitude is not disgusting. Of course people should have got off if they were in the wheelchair specific area. But the rest of the bus, no they should not have moved.

Why should another passenger get off if they're sitting in a regular seating area to let a wheelchair user on?

Bimgy85 · 22/09/2018 21:17

Like @Nesssie said. First come first serve. However if people were in the wheelchair area then yes they should have got off. But nobody else.

lottiegarbanzo · 22/09/2018 21:18

It's a wheelchair space.

Anyone sitting or standing in it knows (ought to know, would have to be a half-wit not to, IMO) they re taking the risk of being asked to move.

The passenger in the wheelchair always has priority for the wheelchair space. They are the person for whom it was created, for whom it exists.

The other passengers can hop on the next bus easily. The passenger in a wheelchair cannot, as they will face the same barrier, of other people in their designated space, again and again and again.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 22/09/2018 21:18

no one can force them to get off

Probably not, but ime switching off the engine and refusing to move the bus is usually pretty effective when trying to remove passengers from the bus.

HelenaDove · 22/09/2018 21:18

Bimgy85 Sat 22-Sep-18 21:08:56

"Tbh I would have stayed on the bus as just because someone is in a wheelchair doesn't mean they're more entitled to be on the bus than I am"

As long as you are happy to be filmed doing so Digital age and all that!

Nesssie · 22/09/2018 21:20

What if the person already sitting in the disabled area was disabled (not all disabilities are visible?

lottiegarbanzo · 22/09/2018 21:21

It's a wheelchair space, not a 'disabled area'. That's the 'priority seats'. Different thing, different space.

HappyHippy45 · 22/09/2018 21:25

I'm a wheelchair user and I think I would feel the same as your gran and not want a fuss. However, you can't just squeeze in when you are using a wheelchair. People should have gotten off and got the next bus and then moaned at work about being late because of a pesky wheelchair user
Ideally the driver could have said something when he was letting all those people on or there should be a big massive sign stating that people may need to get off if a wheelchair user needs the space.
I hate getting early appointments. It takes me until the afternoon to function.

fizzthecat1 · 22/09/2018 21:27

If the appointment was at 9.10 am then the majority of people on the Bus were probably either going to work/college and couldn't be late. I used to get the Bus to work and there's no way I'd get off, my boss was very unforgiving about being late.

Thund4rcat · 22/09/2018 21:29

It's disappointing this is even a debate. Obviously the people in the wheelchair area should have got off. The bus driver should also have insisted on it, not left it up to you and your Grandma to be guilt tripped into making the decision not to get on.

Bimgy85 · 22/09/2018 21:29

@RafaIsTheKingOfClay what are you on about? If the bus driver felt it was really that necessary for the wheelchair user to get on he wouldn't have drove off 😂

Wonderbag · 22/09/2018 21:29

I suggested the patient transport because (silly me) I thought it might be better than watching buses go by until giving up and getting a taxi.

Of course the passengers in the space should have got off.

ValleyClouds · 22/09/2018 21:30

no one can force them to move

I think you'll find that if it hasn't been changed already, it will be changing

The group’s report to ministers said that bus drivers “need to play an active role in ensuring that the wheelchair space is made available for passengers in wheelchairs, which includes requiring other passengers to move where necessary.” To do so, it said, drivers may need extra powers.

ValleyClouds · 22/09/2018 21:30

That quote is from The Guardian, btw

HappyHippy45 · 22/09/2018 21:33

@fizzthecat1
So granny should be late for her appointment? Most hospitals/dr don't tolerate people being late and you can potentially lose your appointment that you may have waited months to get.

Bimgy85 · 22/09/2018 21:33

@ValleyClouds changing sometime or not, today it stands the same. No law on it. Bus driver couldn't and didn't force anyone to get off, drove off happily

Parker231 · 22/09/2018 21:34

No question, everyone in the wheelchair space should have automatically got off the bus, whether that be one person or ten, to ensure there was enough space for the wheelchair user. People should automatically do it and not need the bus driver to ask. Some people are incredibly selfish.

AssassinatedBeauty · 22/09/2018 21:35

@Bimgy85 yes, it's disgusting. Wilfully and happily stating that you'd obstruct a wheelchair user accessing the space reserved for them.

Bimgy85 · 22/09/2018 21:35

@HappyHippy45 there is no way I'm risking being late/getting fired just to accommodate a strangers grandmother make her hospital appointment

ValleyClouds · 22/09/2018 21:35

But he should have, he can't force anyone currently, but he at least should have made an effort, and the priority is by law

EwItsAHooman · 22/09/2018 21:36

If the appointment was at 9.10 am then the majority of people on the Bus were probably either going to work/college and couldn't be late.

Whereas people in wheelchairs don't have anywhere that they need to be by a certain time Hmm

Lichtie · 22/09/2018 21:36

My view would be if the bus is full then the bus is full. If the passengers were allowed on and have paid their money then they are entitled to stay on in whatever space is available. Its up to the bus company or driver to decide how they police that policy.
You can't surely ask people to leave a service they have paid for, to someone who has not yet paid. Is it that different to the space already being occupied by another wheelchair user?

Bimgy85 · 22/09/2018 21:36

@AssassinatedBeauty excuse me? Can you not read?

I clearly said in the last few messages people should get off if they are in the designated wheelchair area. Not the rest of the bus.

Bloody people