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

I don't live in the UK, have a buggy or a wheelchair but do people really get off the bus to make space and, if so, do you get your fare returned to you?

It's terrible how often this happens.

The bus driver should have the power to issue fines to people using disabled spaces when they don't need them.

I think that’s the only problem, I’ve seen a few prams have to get off but I’ve never seen them issued with a ticket for the next bus so I don’t know what they do. They shouldn’t have to pay twice.

It really depends on the layout of the bus. Where I live there are 2 buses with enough space for either one wheelchair or 2 buggies another has space for a wheelchair and a buggy so you just move out the way then slot back in. I usually just get on the next bus and tap in (contactless debit card) as usual as any journeys within an hour are included in the same fare.

Sorry not aimed at you, I misquoted, my bad. I have said several times that any mobility aid has equal right to the wheelchair space.

Tbf my friend gets abuse over hers as people assume it’s just a stroller.
I get abuse as I’m in the reduced mobility seats as I’m younger but I’m partially sighted. If we are together there’s her trying to get the buggy on and her barking at me to sit down before I fall over

They already have the right to switch off the bus until disputes are resolved. They usually won't because then they look the bad one. I can't imagine them wanting to fine a passenger.

People can be very intolerant, I've grown the skin of a rhino, but sometimes it just gets too much. After a few hours out I'm trashed and hurting, wanting to get on the bus and go home. Then the bus doors open.....

Get a from birth pushchair that folds in one piece one handed.

Did no one stand up for you (verbally)? I would have stood up for you.

Well done.

Thanks, @wednesdayrobyn and @Sissynova

I really do think the UK needs much better public transport facilities.

From this thread it seems to me that as many parents cannot use this space and give it up if someone disabled needs it, it needs to be locked off somehow.

I've always used an easy fold lightweight buggy from birth, and/or a carrier. Never had any issues folding even with a newborn. People who use huge prams on public transport are selfish, not just against those in wheelchairs but you can often fit 3 compact buggies in the wheelchair space (with no wheelchair), but with the big prams there's only space for 2 or sometimes just the one. So they are stopping not just a disabled person from travelling by refusing to get an easy to fold buggy, but also other parents too.

I often fold the buggy while waiting and have my baby in the carrier, rucksack changing bag on my back and 5kg buggy in one hand. It's nice to be able to stroll on to the bus like any other person while the big pram pusher is stuck waiting in the rain because there are already 2 big pram pushers on board!

I am entirely with wheelchair users but I agree that anyone leaving a bus for someone else needs to be given a ticket or told what to do. It’s great if you know you a second payment by phone will be refunded, but perhaps not everyone does

I think that's a good idea tbh.

Priority seating is a seat wheelchair space is a wheelchair space, do they really have a poster where there is no seat saying priority seat?

I'm guessing everyone is then told to get off the bus and the police would be called

If you're in London the journey just continues you tap on the same number bus the fair is not charged again.

@piloge I often fold the buggy while waiting and have my baby in the carrier, rucksack changing bag on my back and 5kg buggy in one hand.

What newborn pram do you have that’s 5kg? Even the yoyo is heavier than that.

But that's only within the last hour that you tapped in

Not one person, they just looked on with interest

Few buses in London are that infrequent but again if you are by some strange stroke of bad luck delayed over the time you can contact TfL

Bastards.

SURELY in this day and age no reasonable human thinks a person on a wheelchair comes second to a buggy?! Who the fuck are the 10% of you saying YABU?!

OP Id have stuck up for you I’m sorry you were outnumbered by scumbags

You would think but there is people who do think they come first, you only have to look around to see entitled people everywhere.