to want to use the bus like everyone else?

[toddlertamer20]

Hi,
I'm a single mum of 3, live in london and am now reliant on a wheelchair. I use buses to get around as I don't drive. I'm just getting so sick and tired of people being so incredibly selfish on buses. Wheelchairs have the priority, as obviously we cannot fold, however, as I have found out in the last few years, if there are prams on board and they refuse to fold...there is not much the driver can do as they can't be physically removed.
Most of the time, if a bus comes along with 2 prams, I will wait for the next bus. But sometimes I have to be somewhere and considering that is the only spot I am able to use on the bus, I feel like I should be allowed to use it. Everytime I insist that I need to get on it either a)end up with an argument eith the driver as he won't ask people to move or fold their prams....then a call to TFL who apologise and promise the educate the driver again.
b) I get let on but then the people with the pram won't move and argue with me, one of these times the driver was oblivious that I was mid gangway still and pulled off causing me to be thrown into a pole and break my arm. Or c) They just pull off and don't even attempt to let me on or put the ramp down.
Today again I ended up in a big argument. I needed to get a bus to get my youngest from school. The bus didn't come for ages. It eventually came but 3 buggies were on board, one without a child in it. The driver tried to tell me the next bus would be along in 20 minutes to which I said I couldn't. So he played the announcement asking the people to move their buggies. Then suddenly another passenger comes to the door and informs me that I need to wait as the people with the prams were there first. So I told him that actually by law I have priority, and I need to be on this bus. He then proceeds to tell me how I just need to wait and can't just get on and kick people off. At this point I was late already to get my child from school, so I did insist I got on. In the end I was allowed on bus got a mouthful off both the parents with the prams. I just don't know if it's me. I can understand it's frustrating if you're on a bus and suddenly you have to move or fold your pram up, but I cannot fold my wheelchair. It feels like everyone thinks I am in the wrong when I'm trying my best to just be a normal mother! Please tell me there aren't just selfish people put there...or is this honestly just me?
(by the way I do try to leave super early to make sure I have plenty of time to get there but then I am also waiting outside in the cold and I have problems with my joints so not a good combination)

I commuted on buses for 15 years and the only people ever causing arguments were mums with tank-prams

This.

People who are standing will simply budge up.

As I said earlier, if you have kids, you chose to have them. So you take the inconvenience if someone with a disability gets on a bus. Or get a simple umbrella buggy that is easy to fold. It's that simple.

That's a good idea. Try Tanni Grey-Thompson - you can contact her through the House of Lords, here - https://members.parliament.uk/member/3862/contact

The law doesn't have to be toothless. OP, which bus company is this? Have you tried tweeting this and putting comments on their Facebook site etc? You could also contact the Department for Transport and, if you are in one of the metropolitan boroughs, the Mayor, to ask them to look at this company's licence and whether they are fit to hold one given that they clearly don't train their drivers properly or supervise them. Your MP and local councillors should also get involved.

You could also contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission - https://equalityhumanrights.com/en. They can give advice and help, and they have a regulatory role. They also sometimes help people in taking legal action in relation to discriminatory policies and practices.

I'd suggest you also escalate this to their chief executive. Point out that they clearly aren't in the least sorry, otherwise they would do something to ensure there are no repetitions.