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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:
meatballsoup · 21/12/2022 17:40

@GoAgainstNicki - Its doable. A quick google search shows a good selection of lightweight easy to fold double buggies. so HTH right back at ya

MusicstillonMTV · 21/12/2022 17:40

Heyahun · 21/12/2022 17:00

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

When mine were little we actually had both a big pram and a little foldable one - in many ways the big one was great for London.

Because when you are out all day without a car, it is great to be able to put things underneath. Not shopping (did that online) but things like picnic blanket, changing bag, scooter for your older child, etc. When I had an uppababby vista, I could have everything we needed for a whole weekend under it which was great when travelling with a baby and a preschooler.

I actually didn't find many downsides to the big pram as even though big, it could get on the bus and even with the little buggy, I usually found it easier to get off than fold anyway

ehb102 · 21/12/2022 17:42

There was a court case that established that someone with a buggy already on the bus does not need to get off for a wheelchair user who has not yet bought a ticket. It was just before COVID IIRC. Of course it's nice if you can make room or even get off.

ouch321 · 21/12/2022 17:44

Hardly unfair seeing as you normally take the buggy on for free. You might pay your adult fare but you don't pay any child fare for the buggy and it takes up the space of two standing paying passengers.

Nevermindthesquirrels · 21/12/2022 17:47

@GoAgainstNicki I have read your posts. Your replies to me are cold at best. You don't need to be rude.
If the driver didn't give you a ticket than don't get off? Or email tfl. I don't understand what you're so angry about.

IneedanewTV · 21/12/2022 17:49

I appreciate it isn’t easy to hold a baby and fold up a buggy but that is what millions of parents have been doing for many years before buses became accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Someone will always carry the buggy for you and 99% of the time someone will Give up their seat.

but I don’t think you should have to pay again if you choose to get off the bus.

MusicstillonMTV · 21/12/2022 17:56

IneedanewTV · 21/12/2022 17:49

I appreciate it isn’t easy to hold a baby and fold up a buggy but that is what millions of parents have been doing for many years before buses became accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Someone will always carry the buggy for you and 99% of the time someone will Give up their seat.

but I don’t think you should have to pay again if you choose to get off the bus.

It's nice that you have had such positive experiences. Genuinely!

But I haven't - I have literally breastfed standing up on a bus because no one offered me a seat and my baby was hungry. And that's just one of my many experiences of people not being helpful on public transport

luxxlisbon · 21/12/2022 17:59

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.

As far as I know I’ve never seen an umbrella stroller that is genuinely lie flat enough for a newborn.

Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 18:00

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

Thank you!😂 I honestly don’t understand some of these comments

OP posts:
Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 18:04

meatballsoup · 21/12/2022 17:40

@GoAgainstNicki - Its doable. A quick google search shows a good selection of lightweight easy to fold double buggies. so HTH right back at ya

And those lightweight buggies that you’ve seen on your quick google search aren’t ones that you can use as a single pushchair. So if I have one of those it takes up twice as much space on the bus meaning I’d still have to get off when a wheelchair comes on. Your comments also don’t help for what I’d do in that situation as I’ve asked about the driver giving me a single use ticket for the next bus

OP posts:
Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 18:06

ouch321 · 21/12/2022 17:44

Hardly unfair seeing as you normally take the buggy on for free. You might pay your adult fare but you don't pay any child fare for the buggy and it takes up the space of two standing paying passengers.

I can’t even take this comment seriously

OP posts:
AnyRandomName · 21/12/2022 18:06

I'd encourage a foldable buggy if you're going to be using buses tbh, but well done for getting off in the first place.

Regarding two hands, I simply hand the baby to nearest possible stranger, they've never once refused. Similar to airport security when travelling solo etc, there are times when you need to fold and a stranger is the only option

Needmorelego · 21/12/2022 18:06

@luxxlisbon the one I had was made by Maclaren and there were almost identical ones made by Silver Cross. I also had one from Argos which I suppose was 'own brand'.
Loads out there.

Original poster
GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 18:08

All these people coming along saying I should fold up my buggy. So where do you think the space is going to be for a wheelchair, a buggy and then my buggy that’s supposedly folded up? Where is the space for all of this? Because it certainly isn’t on a packed 159 bus.

Even just a wheelchair user and my folded buggy. Where is the space for that?

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 21/12/2022 18:09

@luxxlisbon here's one from Argos. 60 quid. Suitable from birth. That took me less than 30 seconds to find via Google.

Taking the buggy off of the bus for a wheelchair
maryberryslayers · 21/12/2022 18:10

If your child has a medical condition which means you can't fold the buggy with all his things get a little sign that says your pushchair is being used as a wheelchair. It sounds like you need the space.

rose69 · 21/12/2022 18:12

you should get a transfer ticket. If the driver refuses make a note of their number or the bus reg and contact the bus company. If that fails email London TravelWatch

Travelbud · 21/12/2022 18:14

gogohmm · 21/12/2022 15:48

Why can't you collapse your pushchair, that's what we had to do when mine were small (and carry it up steps!)

I don't agree with this. I'm in Yorkshire and we had this issue going along a country road one evening during winter.

There would be no way I would be getting my sleeping baby out of the pram and collapsing down. It's not an easy task you would need someone to hold your baby too.

Its first come first served the baby could be disabled you don't know.

Needmorelego · 21/12/2022 18:14

@GoAgainstNicki I have been on the 159 many many times. Yes a busy route. Bus gets packed.
I've travelled with my buggy folded up crammed between my knees with baby on my lap many times.
Not the greatest way to travel but needs must.
But as I and @maryberryslayers said if your child has medical needs you might be able to class your pushchair as a wheelchair and you won't need to fold it.

Needmorelego · 21/12/2022 18:16

@Travelbud you can get some special labels for pushchairs that say "treat this pushchair as a wheelchair" if that's the case.

Nordix · 21/12/2022 18:19

HermioneWeasley · 21/12/2022 15:55

Why don’t you just fold up the buggy and hold the baby?

How are you supposed to fold a buggy while holding your baby? I’ve never understood why people say this. Unless you’re supposed to hand your baby to a stranger while you fold the buggy? I’ve never met a buggy with a one-handed fold.

Lividity · 21/12/2022 18:19

meatballsoup · 21/12/2022 17:40

@GoAgainstNicki - Its doable. A quick google search shows a good selection of lightweight easy to fold double buggies. so HTH right back at ya

Where on earth is OP going to put two under-2s WHILE she folds the double buggy?

And then will she stand and hold both of them on a moving bus?

Um hmmm.

MyLifeInAMovie · 21/12/2022 18:20

GoAgainstNicki · 21/12/2022 18:08

All these people coming along saying I should fold up my buggy. So where do you think the space is going to be for a wheelchair, a buggy and then my buggy that’s supposedly folded up? Where is the space for all of this? Because it certainly isn’t on a packed 159 bus.

Even just a wheelchair user and my folded buggy. Where is the space for that?

You mean you can’t just hold it....and your child....and maybe a changing bag....and any shopping....all whilst not taking up any room. 😂 OP, ignore these posters. You’re obviously a decent person who wants to make sure wheelchair users get a space, I can’t believe some of the responses.

ShowOfHands · 21/12/2022 18:21

Have you tried other slings? Being a stone shouldn't be a barrier to wearing a sling. Mine were a stone by 15 weeks and stayed in a carrier until they were 2yrs old. I didn't drive until my youngest was a preschooler and practically lived on the bus. I had a sling and a rather funky shopping trolley!

strawberry2017 · 21/12/2022 18:23

I don't think wheelchairs should get priority over pushchairs.

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