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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:
Belina · 22/09/2018 23:41

I'm quiet shocked people saying people should of got off.
What if they would get the sack for being late to work? Or sanctioned for months for missing a job centre appointment? What if it was someone going on a prison visit or a visit to see their child or pick their child from school.

You dont know someone's situation and I dont think people who were already on the bus should have to get off
Only if it was a buggy in the disabled bay should the get off be priority for a disabled or wheelchair user.

Samcro · 22/09/2018 23:42

the out right disablism on this thread is vile.

ambostraw · 22/09/2018 23:43

I'm quiet shocked people saying people should of got off.

Not half as shocked as I am at the stupidity on this thread.

Wheelchair space. The clue is in the name.

AssassinatedBeauty · 22/09/2018 23:43

Haven't you read the thread? It's simple discrimination. If everyone refuses to move, always, then the wheelchair user always is prevented from travelling. Just because they are in a wheelchair.

ValleyClouds · 22/09/2018 23:46

AGAIN

I'm quiet shocked people saying people should of got off.
What if they would get the sack for being late to work? Or sanctioned for months for missing a job centre appointment? What if it was someone going on a prison visit or a visit to see their child or pick their child from school.

Why do you believe the wheelchair user is not doing any of these things INCLUDING picking a child up from school?

Spikeyball · 22/09/2018 23:49

"If possible (financially etc.) a cab for a one-off journey for the wheelchair user would therefore make more sense if it can be anticipated public transport will be busy."

Why can't the other bus users get a cab if they anticipate the bus will be busy? They are not more important as individuals because there are more of them. If they are in the wheelchair space they can shift.

AutisticHedgehog · 22/09/2018 23:51

AllyMcBeagle

the relative rarity in my experience of the wheelchair spaces being used on buses by wheelchair users vs the relatively frequent use of blue badge bays by disabled people

and has it not crossed your mind that one of the reasons that the reason the wheelchair spaces are "rarely" used on buses is for the exact reason demonstrated on this thread - the inevitable fuss created by the people occupying the "rarely used" wheelchair space who are now being told to move. Can you imagine how mortifying that is for a wheelchair user to go through every single time they want to travel? why should it be able bodied people that get to waltz on and off buses without anyone kicking up a fuss?

and also you need to remember that blue badges are not just awarded to those in wheelchairs - there are many other (perfectly valid) reasons they are awarded.

I'm embarrassed for you when you raised the "devil's advocate" point about 12 people being late vs one person. You really think that getting 12 able-bodied people to work justifies 1 wheelchair-user not getting to work on time. Yes I know you said you were playing Devil's advocate, but what you are actually doing is putting forward arguments as to why wheelchair discrimination can be justified.

Disgusting.

The wheelchair space is for wheelchairs. ANYONE else who occupies it must only do so with the explicit understanding they will vacate it without question or hesitation in the event a wheelchair user needs it.

Parker231 · 22/09/2018 23:55

For those saying they shouldn’t have to get off the bus, what do you think a wheelchair space is for?

victoriaspongecake · 22/09/2018 23:55

I dont think i would try to take an elderly lady in a wheelchair ti a hospital appointment.
Could you not get a taxi? It would be much more comfortable for her though i admit i dont know how much taxis are nowdays.

Samcro · 22/09/2018 23:57

ahh so person in a wheelchair should get a Taxi........
DISABLIST

HelenaDove · 23/09/2018 00:02

We should really be asking MPs why it isnt enshrined in law that people should vacate the wheelchair space given the fact that so many disabled people are being found fit for work.

AutisticHedgehog · 23/09/2018 00:02

samcro yes they should

Out of sight. Out of mind. All those who really matter are happy.

myrtleWilson · 23/09/2018 00:03

@belina Why are you shocked? The space is for wheelchair users? Do they not have priority appointments? Can you not see the wheelchair user may also be going to work or pick up theirs child? Why given the paucity of spaces for wheelchair users should they have to watch several buses go past and be very late for work or be late picking up their child? Such disablism is outrageous

BreconBeBuggered · 23/09/2018 00:05

Jesus fucking Christ. Any more for 'let them eat cabs' out there?

ValleyClouds · 23/09/2018 00:06

The level of blinkered othering on this thread is unreal.

AllyMcBeagle · 23/09/2018 00:09

and has it not crossed your mind that one of the reasons that the reason the wheelchair spaces are "rarely" used on buses is for the exact reason demonstrated on this thread

Yes. It's a real shame that some people don't think that wheelchair users should get priority on buses and would make a fuss if asked to leave - I am not one of those people.

and also you need to remember that blue badges are not just awarded to those in wheelchairs - there are many other (perfectly valid) reasons they are awarded.

I did remember that. I am very familiar with the legislation re: blue badges. If you read my post again you will see that I very carefully talked about "disabled people" who need to use blue badge bays and "wheelchair users" who need to use the space on the bus. I am not sure what your point is here tbh.

I'm embarrassed for you when you raised the "devil's advocate" point about 12 people being late vs one person. You really think that getting 12 able-bodied people to work justifies 1 wheelchair-user not getting to work on time.

No of course not. Did you you stop reading my post at that point? I immediately followed that sentence by saying "However, I do think that the wheelchair user should nevertheless be given priority because otherwise they would always lose out and practically it might be possible for eg 6 of the able-bodied passengers to squeeze on to the next bus and the remaining 6 on the one after, whereas the wheelchair user could be left waiting for ages. I would therefore support Parliament making changes so that the priority is enforceable."

The wheelchair space is for wheelchairs. ANYONE else who occupies it must only do so with the explicit understanding they will vacate it without question or hesitation in the event a wheelchair user needs it.

I agree 100%. That was the entire point of my post. I am not sure how it has been so misunderstood Confused

SpikyCactus · 23/09/2018 00:12

I don’t think it’s fair for the driver to let people on the bus and take their money then fail to transport them to their destination. If it’s a requirement for the wheelchair space to be available then it needs to be kept vacant and standing people shouldn’t be allowed to occupy that space in the first place. Or they should be sold a different type of provisional ticket that means they can only occupy the wheelchair space if it’s not needed. Then if a wheelchair turns up those provisional tickets have to get off.

MidniteScribbler · 23/09/2018 00:14

I think that the space should be left clear for wheelchair users, and not filled with standing passengers. Asking people to get off is never going to go well, and pits passengers against each other to place 'who is more worthy'. It would be better for them to have never been allowed on the bus in the first place so the space could be free. (And hopefully the bus driver reporting back to base that there are lots of people standing on bus stops and they need to put on another bus at that time of day).

ambostraw · 23/09/2018 00:14

spiky
In London you would not be charged for getting on the next bus, of the one after, or even the one after that. Oyster would recognise the service number and consider it a continuation of journey.

AutisticHedgehog · 23/09/2018 00:19

Yes I can see youneventaully fell on the side of “yes they should get off” but you still stated

  • the spaces were rarely used
  • you had to chuck 12 people of for one disabled person

Continued repetition of these non-justifications, whether you agree with them or not, only serves to help the bigots who believe they have a right to the wheelchair space.

Yes I know you agree, but you are doing so in an “well I can understand why” manner when it comes to the arseholes who refuse to move.

Spidersinmysocks · 23/09/2018 00:25

I actually think the bus driver was partly at fault. Surely he shouldn't have allowed the bus to be filled so full that ten people were blocking a wheelchair space.

My teen looks 'normal' but has some special needs and is quite vulnerable as well as toilet issues . Being asked to get off at the bus station would have been a nightmare, she would have missed her connecting bus but at least been safe and had access to a toilet and somewhere busy.

Being asked to get off mid route would have been horrendous. This HAS happened to her and she ended up alone at a bus stop in the dark and snow for 45 minutes as the others who got off could get a different bus and she wet herself fully in panic.
I was an hour away by train and couldn't get her in time.
She was in a complete state when she got home.

I have therefore have told her to stay on the bus next time somehow. Hopefully squeezed in somewhere.

worridmum · 23/09/2018 00:29

They are rarely used because its so bloody difficult to actually get on the bus.

For example a few weeks ago i was getting the bus with my disabled friend buses come every 15 minutes do you know how long it took for a bus to actually stop to allow us on the bus? 2 sodding hours (all bloody pram users refused to fold / get off the bus).

2 hours that's 8 buses all with pram users on that refused to move / fold there prams. This is not a rare occurrence my friend used to have a converted car for transport but that was taken off her since apparently she no longer met the criteria for a adapted car.

Its bloody disgusting how this country treats disabled people on the Continent people would move and its heavily enforced you refuse to move the bus turns the engine off and the police are called and if you still refuse to move / fold up you will be charged with obstruction of a disabled person (a hate crime btw). So its normally only tourists that refuse to move (mostly British ones).

But hey disabled people are less important then normal people.

Defrack · 23/09/2018 00:33

If you're not in a wheelchair get out the fucking wheelchair space.

They've every right to be there, just as much as you. You can stand, sit on a seat, perch, or God forbid walk and stand and wait for the next bus.

This person is in a wheelchair, the only way they're getting on the bus is in the wheelchair space.

Why should they get a taxi? Why should they get a hospital transfer?

DISABLED PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT!!!! Society is getting today where's you have vile scum like some of these posters who see disabled people as inconveniences. A wheelchair user needs he wheelchair space. If you're not in a wheelchair get your arse out the space. If you don't, you should be removed from the bus and banned for a month.

SpikyCactus · 23/09/2018 00:37

spiky In London you would not be charged for getting on the next bus
Firstly London is a small part of the country and generally it doesn’t work like that. Secondly how do you identify who needs to get off? Surely you need two types of tickets - a “got on to occupy a seating or standing space” ticket and a “got on to occupy a wheelchair space so may have to get off” ticket. Otherwise people will argue among themselves about who should get off.

Spidersinmysocks · 23/09/2018 00:40

I saw people refuse to move last year on a train and refuse to move their luggage so that a child in a wheelchair could get on so they chucked all the luggage off the train on to the platform to MAKE people get off. Solved the problem!