AIBU to expect to be a priority getting on a bus in a wheelchair

[Worrysaboutalot]

I am going to start using buses whilst in my power chair.

Apart from wondering how I will physically be able to get on to the bus, I would like to know what is the law regarding prams and wheelchairs.

Do I have priority over a pram or not ?

Can I insist that a pram is folded, so I can get on?

There is only 1 bus every 2 hours between my village and the shopping centre, so I really can't risk being stranded there. On other hand I need to get out of the house too.

Any advice welcome. I am in the North West if that makes any difference.

this was the advantage in the old old days when I was little & - they had conductors in buses! who would help people on & take tickets when you were sitting down not trying to balance babies toddlers buggies & appropriate baby luggage & while you pay for your ticket
I think the answer is much simpler - more buses to villages - make it a public service which isn't there to make money. With more adaptable seats to make more spaces
Sadly this is unlikely to happen

I am disabled but that doesn't mean I can't sit in a chair of course it doesn't, I didn't say it did. I mentioned disabled parents who can't fold a buggy, as a pp had posted their personal situation. So saying she can only go on with a folded pushchair means she can't use a bus, rather than the driver ensuring the buses are used properly ie move.

And no one has said it's the same as being in a wheelchair, because that would be a pretty stupid comment to make.

[quote IMNOTSHOUTING]@SleepingStandingUp

Everyone, including me, has said multiple times that children whether in a SN or regular buggy with disabilites, SN or other health issues which necessitates them using the wheelchair space should be able to do so. The vast majority of parents can simply buy a buggie which can be quickly folded. If they choose not to do that they can only blame themselves if they have to vacate for a wheelchair user who doesn't have the option of simply folding their wheelchair.[/quote]
I haven't said anyone is saying a parent of a disabled child can't use the space. And I haven't ever suggested they shouldn't fold or get off.

@SleepingStandingUp

I am disabled but that doesn't mean I can't sit in a chair of course it doesn't, I didn't say it did. I mentioned disabled parents who can't fold a buggy, as a pp had posted their personal situation. So saying she can only go on with a folded pushchair means she can't use a bus, rather than the driver ensuring the buses are used properly ie move. And no one has said it's the same as being in a wheelchair, because that would be a pretty stupid comment to make.

It doesn't mean she can't use a bus. How do you think people used buses before there were wheelchair spaces? They usually ask someone to help fold it if they couldn't do it themselves.

[quote twinmum2017]@SleepingStandingUp

So if you had to get off assuming you can't fold the buggy etc, would you get a refund on your ticket?

I honestly can't believe this actually happens to people. Just getting out the house with 2 babies was a challenge in itself, if I had been asked to get off a bus at a random stop that would have been me done and staying home until they could go without the buggy. [/quote]
In theory they should give you a new ticket for the next bus. I've only done it with a discreet so not an issue. Before the twins DS was in a special chair so I'd have argued our rights if we were urgently going somewhere, it was really wet etc. Now with the twins I just have to wait as lots of drivers pick and choose their rules.

I tend not to go to strange places though and I live in a town where buses are at least 20 minutes. I think I'd massively struggle going out if I thought I'd be on a country lane for two hours

where I am most buses have one WC space and then a few buggy spaces. (never counted them)

@Belladonna12 well I can't remember the ops name to ask them but that isn't my call to make is it? Presumably if she isn't able to fold the buggy and she knew she had to every time she used it, it would limit the times she went out. If it's folded on principle not need, then shed still have to fold it on an empty bus when there's no one to help.

Arghhhgh wheelchair space = space for wheelchairs

I've got 2 little ones and a monster puschair. I either ask for 2 seats side by side and take apart the whole thing and out it there (with help from passengers if needed) or get off (which tbh I do)

All these "what ifs" also apply to wheelchair users except they have wheelchairs in addition to all these made up situations. I'd much prefer to be stressed sorting out my various children and accessories than not be able to walk !!!

I've just read the rest of this thread.
In my situation, I have a 2 year old in a buggy and am 25 weeks pregnant. I am suffering from pelvic pain which puts me on crutches. I can't use my crutches when I have ds alone in the buggy. I would be unable to fold the buggy and hold ds. But to anyone else I look fine.
I completely understand your concerns op, and hope you don't face animosity when using the buses. But you need to consider other people's hidden situations too.

Wheelchair spaces didn't just appear on buses out of the blue, because bus companies were considerate... they were provided for because disabled people campaigned long and hard for them. If other folk for whatever reason feel their needs are not being met on public transport then do campaign for them in addition to the existing provision for disabled people - am sure many would lend their support for a campaign to better provide additional facilities to meet currently unmet needs.

@Pearsapiece

In that situation you need to get a lanyard to alert the driver to the fact that you have a hidden disability, although actually it should be no problem for another passenger to simply fold the buggy for you rather than leave OP waiting for two hours for a bus! The vast majority of buggy users can fold their buggy with help from other passengers if needed.

@myrtleWilson

Wheelchair spaces didn't just appear on buses out of the blue, because bus companies were considerate... they were provided for because disabled people campaigned long and hard for them. If other folk for whatever reason feel their needs are not being met on public transport then do campaign for them in addition to the existing provision for disabled people - am sure many would lend their support for a campaign to better provide additional facilities to meet currently unmet needs.

I agree but they won’t.

Because their time needing the space only lasts a year or two so they take advantage of what has been campaigned for for people struggling lifelong and then a selfish minority complain when those who the spaces are intended for actually want to use them!

What a lovely person! !!

100% agree with this. X

Glad to hear you campaigned for disabled spaces @myrtleWilson.

@Haenow
Have you read the thread? Anyone with a pram or buggy is the scum of the earth and should never use a bus.

I hate the whole “you need a back up plan” as if people with disabilities don’t plan their entire lives to the nth degree. Perhaps parents with Prams could plan a bit better, instead of complaining they can’t get off the bus mid journey, buy a fold up pram or have money for a taxi. Similar things are said to people with disabilities when they are concerned about their legal right to use the accessible space.

In OPs situation where there is a bus every 2 hours and she can't be stranded what happens when there's someone else with a wheelchair in the space and she can't get on the bus? that was my back up plan comment. Yes a pram could be folded, but another wheelchair user wouldn't be told to fold or move and the OP has no option.

Have you read the thread? Anyone with a pram or buggy is the scum of the earth and should never use a bus.

Yeah because of a group of mums who have all at some point used buggies or prams really said that. If you use a buggy or pram you don't have priority over a wheelchair user so you need to be prepared to fold it up unless you or your child have a disability which prevents you being able to.

So imagine that every time you have to leave the house your worried that another person who also equally needs the space will be in the only space you can access. That’s rubbish.

But then add into that the chances of also encountering a member of a much bigger group who use the space when not needed but where some refuse to move so you can use it. That’s even more shit because that should be avoidable.

@Sirzy

So imagine that every time you have to leave the house your worried that another person who also equally needs the space will be in the only space you can access. That’s rubbish.

But then add into that the chances of also encountering a member of a much bigger group who use the space when not needed but where some refuse to move so you can use it. That’s even more shit because that should be avoidable.

This exactly.

If I have to wait for the next bus, as another wheelchair is on, I will have to wait patiently. Just as I do waiting outside the disabled toilets. I understand I have to wait and if that means accidents then so be it.

But the thought that there might be an abled bodied person who refuses to let me have the space I need, just because they can't be bothered to buy and use a folding pram (clearly excluding disabled children), makes me want to cry.

I have never had the arrogance to steal a disabled space on a bus, or have the gall to convince myself that was the right thing to do because I had babies.

I am really hoping my bus rides are a lot more peaceful than than this thread suggests.

I look to the mainly supportive threads on here and hope my journeys will be filled with similar minded people.

@majesticallyawkward

” Have you read the thread? Anyone with a pram or buggy is the scum of the earth and should never use a bus.”

Have you read the thread? I’m sure there were loads of comments from fellow mothers and I know there weren’t comments about mums (no dads, eh?!) being scum. Could you kindly point me in that direction? I’ll happily report anyone who is being derogatory and calling someone scum for no good reason.

These threads have been the same crap for the decade I’ve been using MN but alleging that mums are called “scum of the earth” isn’t used that often!

DC3Dakota
'Deal' with my disabilities? Really? I am severely disabled though not wheelchair bound, however I have a child. I'm unable to fold a pram. Thankfully I have a car but if I didn't, I'd be very concerned about using the bus. It's not whatiffery it's a fair bloody point

Fair enough... it is a fair point. But by that stage in the thread, on a thread by a disabled woman concerned about her experience and rights, the thread was busy with apparently able-bodied women on about what if its raining, what if a mother had twins, an appointment, lots of shopping, had bought a ticket...

The thread is about the wheelchair- user OP. Rights for people with disabilities.

Just to clarify OP I didn't mean for a second that you shouldn't have priority over a pushchair, of course you should!

I was merely pointing out how awful it would have been to have been kicked off with my baby twins because the bus company hadn't provided a pushchair space.

I hope your first journey goes to plan and you enjoy your day out.

twinmum2017
Thank you :)

Have you applied for mobility eliment of benefits gives you money for things like taxi's or if you have a licence you might qualify for a mobility car .

@rwalker

Have you applied for mobility eliment of benefits gives you money for things like taxi's or if you have a licence you might qualify for a mobility car .

I can't use taxis, as I can't lift my chair into them without a hoist.

Yes, I have applied for a mobility car, I am waiting for them to process my application.
Plus I am waiting for DVLA to make a decision on whether I can be given a medical driving license (everything crossed)