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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Taking the buggy off of the bus for a wheelchair

288 replies

GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 15:46

I know in other places in the UK, there are buses that have no back doors so there’s a space for a wheelchair user and then buggy users. It’s not like that in London so the one space that’s available is for wheelchair users. Buggies are allowed to use the space if not needed by a wheelchair uses but need to get out of the way if necessary.

There’s been quite a few times where there’s been myself and another buggy on the bus when a wheelchair has needed the space. Each time, the other parent refuses to get off of the bus (even when I’ve got on first), so I get off to make space for the wheelchair. I also don’t like embarrassment so I’m not going to argue with another parent when a wheelchair user needs the space.

Now I’m always happy to get off for a wheelchair especially as buses come super frequently. However my issue comes with drivers not giving me a ticket to say that I’ve already paid to allow me on another bus. Just a few days ago, I didn’t have much money on my oyster but enough for my journey. I needed to take two buses within the same hour which I could afford with the money on my oyster. A wheelchair wanted to come on so I started to get ready to get off, no problem. I asked the driver if he could print a ticket as I no longer had money on my oyster (the one hour was up) and he said no!

Luckily a bus driver let me get on without paying but AIBU here? Why can’t it be standard practice for drivers to give you a ticket stating you’ve already paid if you have to get off for a wheelchair user?

OP posts:
Iam4eels · 21/12/2022 16:49

RE: choice of buggy.

OP's baby has a genetic condition so it's probable that he needs a buggy with specific features to support him. One of my DC had orthopaedic issues as a baby and needed specific features in a pushchair that were not possible from an umbrella fold.

Drivers should be providing onward tickets to ensure that vulnerable passengers (i.e., lone woman with small child) aren't left stranded without the means to continue their journey.

Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 16:50

NippyWoowoo · 21/12/2022 16:39

ANOTHER thread on buggies in the wheelchair space? Are you guys bored?

No clue what you’re talking about?

OP posts:
Iam4eels · 21/12/2022 16:52

If there's no/limited storage and no seats it's impossible to hold onto a folded buggy, a child/infant, and hold onto a handrail too.

Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 16:52

MusicstillonMTV · 21/12/2022 16:41

London buses don't have any real luggage space - I do have a practical one handed fold buggy but sometimes there isn't anywhere to put it. Sometimes also there isn't a seat for my toddler to occupy when I am folding.

I just get off therefore for a wheelchair used but I am fortunate to be able to just pay another bus fare (or walk if mostly there)

Exactly this. Even if I were to fold down the buggy, where exactly is it meant to go?

I usually have a monthly bus fare on my oyster so hopefully this shouldn’t be an issue again

OP posts:
Ocrumbs · 21/12/2022 16:53

Ahh I see your point. Yes if anyone has to get off the bus for someone else they should get a refund/another ticket however it works

Ocrumbs · 21/12/2022 16:55

NippyWoowoo · 21/12/2022 16:39

ANOTHER thread on buggies in the wheelchair space? Are you guys bored?

This one is about the tickets though

Toddlerteaplease · 21/12/2022 16:59

Not everyone lives in
London!

Heyahun · 21/12/2022 16:59

I hear ya ! It’s hard! Reason why I got a babyzen yo yo buggy so I can easily fold it up and it’s tiny and takes up no space on the bus so it’s a manageable

I also just stopped ever using the basket under the buggy for anything if I’m taking a bus or train cus it’s not worth the hassle

Heyahun · 21/12/2022 17:00

Don’t know why anyone in London gets a massive buggy tbh

luxxlisbon · 21/12/2022 17:01

Sometimes you can really tell from the comments that it’s been a really long time since some posters have been around young children!
An umbrella stroller for an 8 month old baby??
A light weight umbrella stroller is not appropriate for long daily use for a baby that age! It’s not the same as a 3 year old who’s going to hop in and out.

Op you’re not wrong it’s often much easier to just get off than it is to fold the pram, hold the baby and take out all the stuff from under the basket! They should absolutely give you a ticket if you’re getting off, not unreasonable to expect that at all.

Heyahun · 21/12/2022 17:02

But yea you shouldn’t have had to pay again

Nevermindthesquirrels · 21/12/2022 17:09

As kind as you seem, you need to be a little more blunt and tell the person who came on after you that it's them that need to move or fold their buggy.
Alternatively you need to speak up and ask someone to help you fold your buggy. Surely this is a situation that happens very rarely compared to the bus having two buggies and you having to wait for the next one?

Needmorelego · 21/12/2022 17:15

@GoAgainstNicki do you mean you have medical equipment that is in the pram? If so you need to get one of the "treat this pushchair as a wheelchair" labels which attach to the pram (I'm not sure if you can get them from TfL but I have seen many parents using them when their child needs medical equipment).
You are then counted as a wheelchair and have priority over the space.

Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 17:15

TimandGinger · 21/12/2022 16:49

My understanding was that you should be given a ticket and I always asked and got one without an issue. So I think you were unlucky with a grumpy driver.
I used a fairly big buggy in London as it was great for walking. Umbrella buggies are like pushing a wonky shopping trolley.
I didn’t like slings either. As long as you make room for the wheelchair user when you have to I can’t see the issue.

Yeah it must be that I just had a grumpy driver and he couldn’t be bothered to print one of for me. Today a wheelchair user came on the bus and there was still enough space for my buggy so that’s all good. I’m just a bit annoyed that there doesn’t seem to be anything ‘official’ in place for the parents who do have to take their buggies off and may have to pay again

OP posts:
Kpo58 · 21/12/2022 17:16

To all those who suggest why didn't you fold up the buggy:

  • The bus drivers in London will NOT wait for you to fold up a buggy or make multiple trips on and off the buggy to get the buggy, baby and shopping on board the bus
  • There is no luggage rack on London buses (apart from the X26 airport bus) so the luggage would be going in the same place that a wheelchair occupies (when there isn't a wheelchair on board).
  • Yes if you do fold up a buggy, you will need to take up much more space than if you didn't fold up your buggy which is counterproductive as the contents of that nice compact box that held the child, shopping and other small child paraphernalia still needs to go somewhere and it's no longer in a compact format.
  • the buses are normally too crowded for you to be able to have a seat (so you cannot safety hold on to the child whilst the bus is moving), let alone have your shopping and folded up buggy near you or on the bus.
  • bus journeys in London can often take over an hour due to the horrendous traffic. For example it is normal for a bus to take an hour to go from the top of Worcester Park high street to the bottom
  • Yes it is more practical for people to get off the bus and wait for the next one in 10-15 mins than to spend the 10-15 mins unloading the buggy, delaying the bus and annoying the rest of the passengers (added bonus if your child is screaming due to frustration and the noise on the bus).

No-one is suggesting that the wheelchair isn't allowed to take priority on the bus or not letting them into the bus. Yes other people are allowed to use that space when a wheelchair isn't in the wheelchair space as you cannot possibly fence off such a large space when other people do need to use it when it's not being used by a wheelchair user.

Also yes the bus drivers who won't let you have a ticket so that you can continue your journey on another bus when you have been kicked off for whatever reason are gits.

Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 17:16

Iam4eels · 21/12/2022 16:52

If there's no/limited storage and no seats it's impossible to hold onto a folded buggy, a child/infant, and hold onto a handrail too.

Thank you! It really is near enough impossible to do this all on your own

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 21/12/2022 17:17

@luxxlisbon a lay-flat 'umbrella' stroller is suitable from birth. Not so popular these days as people tend to get those YoYo style pushchairs but if it lies flat then it's fine for a newborn.

Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 17:18

Nevermindthesquirrels · 21/12/2022 17:09

As kind as you seem, you need to be a little more blunt and tell the person who came on after you that it's them that need to move or fold their buggy.
Alternatively you need to speak up and ask someone to help you fold your buggy. Surely this is a situation that happens very rarely compared to the bus having two buggies and you having to wait for the next one?

I don’t need to be blunt because I’m not about to start arguing with a parent who clearly will not get off of the bus. I have enough shame to not do that. Also no need to speak up and ask someone to help me fold the buggy. This is South London, you’re lucky if someone would help you out.

Not sure why you’re speaking about there being two buggies on the bus as I obviously wouldn’t get on and wouldn’t need to tap my oyster in that scenario…

OP posts:
Nevermindthesquirrels · 21/12/2022 17:24

@GoAgainstNicki I'm just saying that the two buggy situation is more common than the wheelchair one and happens to parents a lot so waiting for the next bus is pretty common. How often has this happened? You should always ask the driver for a ticket you can take onto the next bus. They will always give one when you ask, they don't offer it though. Same with help.

I'm in London too, plenty of people help once you ask.

IhearyouClemFandango · 21/12/2022 17:25

Folding or not is irrelevant. If you are asked to vacate a service you have paid for in this circumstance you ought to get recompense.

Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 17:26

Kpo58 · 21/12/2022 17:16

To all those who suggest why didn't you fold up the buggy:

  • The bus drivers in London will NOT wait for you to fold up a buggy or make multiple trips on and off the buggy to get the buggy, baby and shopping on board the bus
  • There is no luggage rack on London buses (apart from the X26 airport bus) so the luggage would be going in the same place that a wheelchair occupies (when there isn't a wheelchair on board).
  • Yes if you do fold up a buggy, you will need to take up much more space than if you didn't fold up your buggy which is counterproductive as the contents of that nice compact box that held the child, shopping and other small child paraphernalia still needs to go somewhere and it's no longer in a compact format.
  • the buses are normally too crowded for you to be able to have a seat (so you cannot safety hold on to the child whilst the bus is moving), let alone have your shopping and folded up buggy near you or on the bus.
  • bus journeys in London can often take over an hour due to the horrendous traffic. For example it is normal for a bus to take an hour to go from the top of Worcester Park high street to the bottom
  • Yes it is more practical for people to get off the bus and wait for the next one in 10-15 mins than to spend the 10-15 mins unloading the buggy, delaying the bus and annoying the rest of the passengers (added bonus if your child is screaming due to frustration and the noise on the bus).

No-one is suggesting that the wheelchair isn't allowed to take priority on the bus or not letting them into the bus. Yes other people are allowed to use that space when a wheelchair isn't in the wheelchair space as you cannot possibly fence off such a large space when other people do need to use it when it's not being used by a wheelchair user.

Also yes the bus drivers who won't let you have a ticket so that you can continue your journey on another bus when you have been kicked off for whatever reason are gits.

Thank you:) you highlighted some great points as to why folding your buggy on the bus is so difficult and basically not worth it

OP posts:
Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 17:29

Nevermindthesquirrels · 21/12/2022 17:24

@GoAgainstNicki I'm just saying that the two buggy situation is more common than the wheelchair one and happens to parents a lot so waiting for the next bus is pretty common. How often has this happened? You should always ask the driver for a ticket you can take onto the next bus. They will always give one when you ask, they don't offer it though. Same with help.

I'm in London too, plenty of people help once you ask.

I really don’t understand what you’re getting at. Waiting for another bus is not the problem as the buses that I need take about 5mins max to arrivae at the bus stop. If there’s two buggies on the bus then I’ll wait for another one. My issue is having to get off of the bus and having to pay again.

The bus drivers won’t ‘always give you one when you ask,’ because when I asked, the driver said no. Have you even read my post? I really don’t think you have

OP posts:
MilkyYay · 21/12/2022 17:32

I avoided in person shopping with babies/young children. Pretty much everything can be ordered online nowadays and i found it too hard/time consuming spending hours and hours lugging a pram and shopping around!

If i had to go somewhere on public transport tbh i tended to use a sling or carrier for the baby, or with an older baby i put the car seat on the pram chassis so the baby was secure if i needed to fold the pram.

TheNeverEndingOver · 21/12/2022 17:38

'Why don't you fold up the buggy?'

I mean, honestly...if OP could fold the buggy, she obviously would have! The question isn't about the space available, it's about the tickets and fees.

YANBU OP, there should def be a system for an ongoing ticket

MyLifeInAMovie · 21/12/2022 17:39

RedHelenB · 21/12/2022 16:18

Spaces for buggies are a relatively recent development. I had to hold a baby and fold mine and put in the luggage rack. When they were too tiny for a stroller I had then in a carrier fir when I got on the bus.

Show quote history

God forbid things improve for parents travelling on public transport. Why is it some people seem to want others to struggle or have things as difficult as they did when it’s possible to improve things. And babies and young children are safer on a bus if they’re strapped into a pushchair.

You definitely shouldn’t have to pay again OP.