Wheelchair vs buggies. Showdown on the bus

[SweetiePi3]

Today wasn't a good day for me. I had to go to the Princess Royal hospital. I waited for the bus, but when it arrived, the ramp wasn't deploying properly.
After the 3rd attempt, I lined up my chair, and as it came out, hanging an inch or so from the ground, I stormed up the ramp and into the bus.
Coming back, I had to change buses. The bus was full with three buggies in the wheelchair space.
The driver opened the back door and told me he had asked them to make space, but they refused.
I put my good foot in the doorway, preventing him from closing it and driving off.
He told them that I was holding the bus hostage until they made space. One mum folded her buggy, and one moved out of the way.
The third still refused, and while I was trying to explain the law to her, over her shouting, her partner started yelling at me.
I asked them what the sign said, but they said they were there first. I told them that the bus went move until I'm on it.
Meanwhile, people were leaving the bus. They gave in and took their buggy off while I boarded the ramp, then came in after me.
The bus driver drove off with the four of us lined up, one folded buggy, the other two, and me

thats for the parent to solve. Buying an impractical pram doesn’t mean you can stop someone in a wheelchair using the only space they have because they don’t have options

In the several years I used the bus reasonably regularly I had to fold because the space was full of other pushchairs about 10 times, for a triplet pushchair to get on twice (because frankly its easier to control one child than 3!) And for a wheelchair once.

My unscientific study is you are more likely to need to fold for other children than a wheelchair user. Whereas a wheelchair user could have the battle daily.

@anothervirgo

Just to play devils advocate with those saying absolutely fold the buggy or get off…
What about someone with a newborn in a bassinet? They can’t be folded.
And even if the can be folded, what do you do with the baby while it’s being folded? What if you’re on your own? Absolutely no chance a stranger is holding the baby while I use both hands.
Why is one persons journey more important than another? Should it not be a wheelchair space but a first come first served for anyone space?

---

Then the parent should invest in a collapsible stroller suitable from birth for days they use public transport.

I had one that folded in half by twisting the handle bar with one hand and could then be carried using the handle bar. It folded small and and would easily tuck away.

It absolutely shouldn't be a first come first served space. It is a wheelchair space that can be used for buggies if it isn't needed by a wheelchair. But is a wheelchair set boards, everyone needs to shift one way or another.

You could:

•not have a baby
•use a baby carrier
•buy a smaller pram
•buy a fold with one hand pram
•hold your baby and ask another passenger to fold your pram
•have someone with you to help
•fold your pram before you get on the bus

basically, it’s your problem to deal with, with the many options you have. Wheelchair users did not campaign for years to have 1 single safe space on each bus so that you don’t have to sort your own problem out.

It really doesn't need to be the drama people make it out to be. Buy a stroller like this to use in public transport.

There are options when travelling with babies. Wheelchair users have one. Hope to god there is space, or that any passengers in the space are decent people.

None of that is the wheelchair users problem. They have no other choices and their situation is likely to be permanent, rather than a time limited inconvenience of having a very young child. nobody is saying it’s easy having a child in a pram. But the space is designed and intended for wheelchairs, first and foremost.
land no, it should not be first come, first served. because I guarantee the wheelchair user would be last served, every single time.

God, there’s always someone “playing devil’s advocate” by coming up with the same arguments that come up in every thread and thinking “ooh that’ll flummox them!”

You chose to have a baby, you chose to use a pram you can't fold. They didn't choose to be in a wheelchair. If you really think about it, your question is pretty stupid.

This 💯

Should it not be a wheelchair space but a first come first served for anyone space?

So basically you’re telling people with limited mobility who need to use devices such as a wheelchair - basically you’re saying “Stay at home, cripple. Your journey is not important.”

Because that would be the practical result of your stupid question.

Should it not be a wheelchair space but a first come first served for anyone space?

So basically you’re telling people with limited mobility who need to use devices such as a wheelchair - basically you’re saying “Stay at home, cripple” Your journey is not important.

Goodness. Are you not embarrassed at yourself?

It's a wheelchair space how is this hard to comprehend ??
stop making up.extreme scenarios and accept its a wheel chair space not first comes first served .space 🙄

Sorry I quoted the wrong person there apologies!!

I quite agree, buggies do need space. So campaign for it like we did, and xtop claiming squatters rights.

I forgot to bold the “devil’s advocate “ question so my refutation wasn’t totally clear 🙄 doh

I hate these threads
mover the years I have posted on so many
it’s a WHEELCHAIR space

You choose your pushchair they don't have to be bassinets, you choose to have a baby you don't choose disability.....as a fit abled person you can walk, stand and wait for the next bus which is unlikely to have a wheelchair user on it etc....as a wheelchair user you have one space on a bus if you can't get on because a pushchair is there and you have to wait exposed to the elements ( your more effected by cold others think of as mild as you can't move about) the chances are the next bus will also have a pushchair on it because there are a lot more babies and toddlers about. Wheelchair users campaigned for access to transport and the equal opportunities and disability acts mean reasonable adjustments must be made by law....in this case space and ramps....they are not there for pushchairs

Yes if they are physically small enough to get on board....the very large ones are more road vehicles for short distances. Using one is amazing fun...people walk into you because they don't see you then scream at you try shoving you out of their way, bash you on your head with bags, moan about moving chairs so you can get through and getting into a disabled toilet is epic as they tend to have doors you can't reach or move around or are so heavy you can't pull them open...yep it's a barrel of laughs.

I’m confused I meant the larger disabled pushchairs, many of which don’t fold down without removing the wheels

Like the special tomato

Why would you need to take a 4x4 buggy on a bus?

Was that directed at me?
I meant the large special needs buggies that are used for older children that have additional needs.

I take my DS on the bus in his special tomato eio pushchair, why wouldn't or shouldn't I?

sound like fucking wankers, pure scum.

Isn't it obvious that's effectively a wheelchair?