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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:
onedream · 23/09/2018 09:36

My understanding is that this space is reserved for wheelchair user as it's the only space in the bus where this person can travel safely..if I was in this space standing or with buggy and a wheelchair user wants to come on board I need to make it clear for him..if this means getting off so be it..if you are in this space you need to be ready to give it up for wheelchair user..

Parker231 · 23/09/2018 09:40

rightsinfo.org/wheelchair-users-public-transport/

Thankfully steps are being taken to make the right changes for the wheelchair users on the bus. For those of you who would refuse to get off the bus, get ready for legal changes!

WrongKindOfFace · 23/09/2018 09:47

A goady post, not a goody post. Gah!

Jimdandy · 23/09/2018 09:51

If I was me in that situation I would like to have left the bus to help, but if I was late for work I would be in trouble so I wouldn’t have been able to get off.

Parker231 · 23/09/2018 09:59

So many people who think their rights to a wheelchair space are greater than the wheelchair users! Some of you are incredible!

ShesABelter · 23/09/2018 10:01

I'd of got off and jumped in a taxi to work.

Samcro · 23/09/2018 10:05

isn't it odd that the OP has only ever posted once under this user name. and started a thread on a topic that always end up in a row.
hmmm yeah very odd.

BewarePregnancyHormones · 23/09/2018 10:08

@ShesABelter
Good that you can afford to do that, I certainly couldn't!

JacquesHammer · 23/09/2018 10:10

Good that you can afford to do that, I certainly couldn't!

It doesn’t matter. If you are using the wheelchair space (and the clue really is in the name) and you’re not in a wheelchair or have another disability you MOVE.

Original poster
Penguinpower · 23/09/2018 10:29

I really wasn’t expecting so many replies.

I have shown this to my grandmother and she said that she is really heartened to see that there are so many kind hearted people out there. And says God bless you all.

Regarding the hospital transport, tbh it hadn’t occurred to me but after all the negative opinions on it I may only try it when desperate. Luckily my DF usually drives her but couldn’t in this occasion

OP posts:
BlueBug45 · 23/09/2018 10:50

On London buses the spaces have a clear sign on or near them stating that buggy/pram users have to fold their buggy/pram or get off the bus if a wheelchair user needs the space. There however is no requirement that other passengers standing in that space have to get off the bus if either a buggy/pram user or more importantly a wheelchair user requirements the space.

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 23/09/2018 10:59

I can’t believe how many people openly state they wouldn’t move out of a wheelchair space. Shock I’m not a wheelchair user, although I am disabled and I would move. It’s common sense.

tillytop · 23/09/2018 11:22

It's first come, first served. Simple. It was first come, OP's gran was the first wheelchair user for the wheelchair space.

tillytop · 23/09/2018 11:29

Penguinpower, glad your grandma is enjoying the debateGrin Give her our love.Flowers

ValleyClouds · 23/09/2018 11:43

I think if you are on this thread and you are not a wheelchair user, it is a fine example for you of the sneering disregard wheelchair users have to face every time they leave the house.

Imagine, just imagine if EVERY time you get the bus you have to tolerate

A) a bus driver making it obvious by body Lang and tone he/she doesn't want to help

B) people tutting and saying "WHY DOES SHE GAVE TO GET ON? I'm not moving, I was here first"

C) people moving but not clearing the way so theres no manoeuvre room for you to get to the spot but they act like that's your fault too

Sometimes 1 of the three, sometimes all.

Imagine if that was how everyone reacted every time you tried to get a bus. Imagine how demoralising and depressed you'd feel

But as long as you're alright, hey?

Sickening, go locate some compassion

GinUnicorn · 23/09/2018 15:29

There is one space on the bus - just one out of around 50 for a wheelchair user. I can’t believe there is even a debate about this issue. If you aren’t in a wheelchair then you need to move. I have a buggy and am happy to move for wheelchair users because they have it tough enough without me being a total dick. And most importantly it is their ONE space!

ilovesooty · 23/09/2018 15:36

Anyone who talks like Beware simply doesn't understand the concept of equality.
It's disgusting that anyone thinks they shouldn't move for a wheelchair user.

RibbonAurora · 23/09/2018 15:47

I think if you take your chances and stand in the wheelchair space you should be prepared to get off. Agree with a pp, bus companies should just keep that space empty unless being occupied by a wheelchair would avoid all this.

Donnyduds · 23/09/2018 15:52

What’s the aWorld coming to, people are so Selfish these days thankfully not all.

WrongKindOfFace · 23/09/2018 15:55

I feel the need to point out that my post wasn’t deleted for being disabilist, it was deleted for another reason I cannot mention... Although similar posts have been allowed to stand?

Goth237 · 23/09/2018 16:32

I think you're being unreasonable, OP. People have to get to work. How are they supposed to explain to their boss that they're late because they had to leave the bus for a wheelchair user?

ValleyClouds · 23/09/2018 16:50

You don't think a wheelchair user has an equal right to get to work on time and shouldn't have to go through the embarrassment of saying "sorry I'm 45 minutes late boss, no one would let me get on a bus"

Why are SO MANY people on this thread so utterly and persistently/insistently unaware that disabled people also have lives and places they need to be and responsibilities to uphold?

Disablism is so unlike racism in that the "otherness" of disabled people is taken as a widely understood reality above question rather than what is : an unacceptable and abhorrent prejudice

StripySocksAlways · 23/09/2018 16:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AutisticHedgehog · 23/09/2018 17:00

@Goth237

So you getting to work in time is more important than a wheelchair user to get to their hospital appointment in time? Or to their work?

If you are so worried about making sure you get to work, why don’t you get a taxi?

Parker231 · 23/09/2018 17:46

So many people not understanding what it means by a wheelchair space. The change in law can’t come soon enough.