Taking the buggy off of the bus for a wheelchair

[GoAgainstNicki]

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?

Ocrumbs · Today 07:59

Why are people getting so judgy about what prams people use?

Because "in their day"

Because women should go about their business without disturbing anyone ever, quiet and inconspicuous

Because if they come in more than one part people say they carnt fold them. If they plan to use buses they should buy easily foldable buggys.

A wheelchair user cannot fold up the wheelchair and take a seat. HTH.

If you want buggy spaces then campaign for them. Don't assume you can use wheelchair spaces .

I don’t care what pram someone uses, as long as they accept if they use a pram that isn’t practical for their lifestyle if will make things more complicated. And just because you have a big pram doesn’t mean you can use the wheelchair space if it’s needed by someone in a wheelchair.

(NB to avoid any confusion I know the OP wasnt complaining about having to get off and she was right to want to sort onwards travel)

Plumbear2 · Today 08:04

If you want buggy spaces then campaign for them. Don't assume you can use wheelchair spaces .

But the OP is NOT assuming anything! Who are you arguing with? She's said she gets off and waits. She doesn't want to have to pay twice that's all. Which is fucking reasonable! Do you use a wheelchair? If so would you not think it was fair that the person who happily vacated the space that you - or at least other wheelchair users like you - campaigned for doesn't have to pay twice? Or even worse is left stranded because they don't have the money to pay twice?

I disagree, they should either be foldable OR they can get off if the space is required.

The thread has moved on from the initial question.

Yes HOW DARE YOU TAKE UP SPACE

They are designed for wheel chairs and push chairs

Because you should buy a pram that fits your life and needs. If you take buses fairly regularly, that means a pushchair that you can fold up easily - one-handed - in case a wheelchair user needs the space. It should also be small enough not to take up the space of 2 pushchairs (unless it's for twins).

It's the same reason people get judgy about urban SUVs. Unnecessary and selfish space hogs that have a variety of negative knock-on effects for those around you.

I don't see why it matters if they have one that doesn't fold up if they are willing to get off the bus for a wheelchair user either way.

OP when mine were little I ALWAYS got off the bus when a wheelchair user needed the space. It's just easier than folding so I have no idea why you're getting such a hard time. I was lucky that my bus journeys never crossed the hour so I never had the problem that you've come across. It's shit. And I'd email TFL and ask them to refund the second charge if I were you. Doesn't help.you if you don't have the funds available for the second bus though.

Should people who get buses only get small dogs?

Who is putting their poor dog in the wheelchair space???

@Devoutspoken in that picture the pram/stroller is one of the modern designs that are aimed at parents who will be using public transport and most bus drivers are fine with one wheelchair + a small buggy like that.
Unfortunately people still insist on buying tank sized prams and attempt to get them on a bus.
But as it has been said - this thread wasn't about the space it was about the fact the driver didn't give a transfer ticket - which they are meant to do.

"I don't see why it matters if they have one that doesn't fold up if they are willing to get off the bus for a wheelchair user either way."
Of course it doesn't matter. Some people are just judgy weirdos.
I have twins and used to get so many eye rolls for having a side by side when I could have had a one above the other. But the one above the other style is TOO HEAVY TO GET UP AND DOWN THE STAIRS.

Needmorelego - I was responding to a pp who said it was just a wheel chair space

It only matters for the giant pushchairs that take up twice the space of a foldable. It means that fewer pushchairs can use the space. Like a car deliberately parking over 2 spaces.

The OP is NBU. She should get a free ticket. And she's lovely to move out of the way for a wheelchair user. But whenever I am in this situation, I fold the chair and sit down. Saves me waiting for another bus.

As a Londoner, I’ve folded a pram and stored it even when the bus was packed. Although I didn’t use the massive bugaboo we had on the bus and opted for a smaller easier to fold one when I was taking the bus. Strangely if you confidently ask someone for help they will generally help.

It sounds like you don’t want suggestions for help and just want to complain about drivers not giving you a ticket. I’m not even sure the machines have paper in them anymore as it’s all contactless.

Loads of people with dogs sit on the fold down chairs by the wheelchair space and their dog sits in it. It's not cruel the wheelchair space is big enough for a wheelchair so it's big enough for a dog!

I specifically said 'unless twins'. Twin prams exist for the exhausted, struggling parents of twins who clearly can't fold - impossible with 2- and have no choice but to take up double space because they are transporting 2 people!

I'm in London OP and I can see your point. I think your scenario of having to get off to accommodate a wheelchair and already being on your journey for more than an hour is probably fairly unusual and TFL haven't accounted for it. You shouldn't have to pay but the driver perhaps doesn't have a way of issuing a transfer ticket. I can't imagine it happens often as I travel on London buses pretty much every day and I've only once seen a parent and buggy have to get off to let a wheelchair user on. People in London are good at making space!

In your situation I'd contact TFL to let them know what happened and why someone in this scenario would need a transfer ticket. If you don't have enough money on your Oyster card you can pay with a contactless debit or credit card.

You report this accessibility to their Accessability and diversity officer.