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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that people should have moved so I could get on the bus with a pram, grrrrr

175 replies

HappyNewYearFeet06 · 10/06/2008 16:23

Sorry to rant but it annoyed me and I let them know.

The bus turned up and I had been waiting patiently. However the bus stopped further down from where it usually does so people who had only just turned up at the bus stop got on before me. Anyway, I showed my ticket and got on but there were people sitting in the 2 spaces that are there for wheelchair/prams. There were plenty of seats nearer to the back of the bus but they wouldn't budge. The driver asked if I could fold the pram. I couldn't, its huge and I had baby and shopping too so it would have been impossible unless I had suddenly sprouted 20 arms!.

The driver and another gentleman suggested people move but they just ignored them. So I ranted out loud about rude people and had to get off of the bus again. I had to get a taxi home as another bus is an age away. The taxi cost £8.20 and I already had bought a return for the bus.

Grrrr, sorry gabbled on but it annoyed me.

AIBU to be annoyed?? Should I send a ranting letter to the bus company or the local newspaper ranting about laxy arsed people that can't move to the back of the bus. (Sorry, hot and bothered!)

OP posts:
VictorianSqualor · 10/06/2008 17:34

If I had a buggy that was both suitable for newborns, and able to be collapsed one handed, and doesn't need a separate car seat, and fits in the boot of our car and also allows me to hold DS's hand whilst we get on the bus, I would happily collapse this wonderful contraption if needed, but not because people were too stubborn/lazy to move a couple of seats back so I could push it on.
Thankfully, I no longer use bus journeys to do my shopping or else I'd be stuck with bags to carry too.

spicemonster · 10/06/2008 17:37

oh I agree absolutely vs. some people are selfish wankers

mrspnut · 10/06/2008 17:38

I ran over someone's foot with my pushchair whilst getting off a bendy bus in London last year.

She wasn't best pleased but as she had crammed herself in the doorway and wouldn't move when she could see me trying to manoeuvre the pram off the bus she got what she deserved.

I say run over a few more toes and rude/selfish people will start to move out of your way

nametaken · 10/06/2008 17:39

A small folding buggy sounds like a good idea.

bellavita · 10/06/2008 17:40

The Dullwitch has obviously not experienced these rude people then.

TheDullWitch · 10/06/2008 17:46

mrspnut sounds charming. Yes get out of my way, precious child and mother coming through!!!

I had a newborn buggy (Mammas and Papas) which folded up simply. It wasn't a ludicrous carseat on a stick thing or a huuge 4X4 type. I could do it with one hand and my right foot, holding baby in other arm. Wasn t a big deal. If you get these stupid trendy buggies this is what happens. Surely foldability is what you look for. (or is it label?)

VictorianSqualor · 10/06/2008 17:50

No, it has nothing to do with label, mine is fisherprice, not exactly trendy.
It has a car seat on a chassis because it is easier than having a car seat, and a buggy.
It is also suitable for newborns, which is what we needed, it was a good price and folds up small when folded, which was needed for the car.
I have more than just 'must be able to fold one-handed' criteria for choosing a buggy.
As for 'move precious mother and baby coming through' more like 'Oh, I'm in the way of that buggy/person/penguin on a leash trying to get off the bus so maybe I should move?'

Eve34 · 10/06/2008 17:50

I got on the bus recently and another mother had her pushchair side ways on taking up both spaces, I asked if she would mind turning it around so I could fit mine in, you would of thought I had asked her to get off and walk the way she looked at me.

FreddysTeddy · 10/06/2008 17:53

Yes, I would have thought one of your considerations when buying a buggy would be whether or not you planned to take it on the bus and if you could fold it.

You can get umbrella fold buggies very cheap or off freecycle, I would get one of those for bus trips.

I do agree that the people should have moved though.

fiodyl · 10/06/2008 17:53

Dullwitch Ive got a quite small folding buggy (Maclaren Quest)which could be folded easily with one hand but if ive got bags of shopping plus a 2 year old plus a baby as well its not so easy. Don't really see why I should have to when there are plenty of other empty seats available.

FreddysTeddy · 10/06/2008 17:54

Get a car?

bergentulip · 10/06/2008 17:55

Ban three-wheeled buggies I say- they are the worst. Supposedly 'versatile', but just plain massive and don't fold. Mothers with those are always sitting with the buggy sideways.

(runs for cover)

elkiedee · 10/06/2008 17:56

I have to say I disagree with Kimi, as I would accept that a wheelchair does have priority over a buggy, though I've never had that problem, have had a problem with there already being 2 buggies on etc.

I think OP's frustration is completely reasonable, though. Especially as there were other seats on the bus.

I felt like applauding QueenieE's story. That's the spirit.

I've had a perfectly fit middle aged man get in a strop because I asked him to move up, not even move seats, so I could get in buggy and sit down with it. There were lots of other seats on the bus. He made a point of standing by the door so he could carry on berating me. I'd forgotten to say please. But, I shouldn't have had to ask. The seats were marked as priority for people with children among others (a bit rare that one, sadly).

Another time I was berated by a woman sitting nearby because I got on a bus where the buggy space is together with a flip up backwards facing seat. There was a forward facing and generally more comfortable seat across the aisle and I asked an older lady to move into that seat. I wouldn't have dreamt of asking her to stand for me to sit down, but the alternative seat would surely have been more comfortable for her.

I really hate those older women who tell me how they had to fold their buggies and they think I should too.

Kimi · 10/06/2008 17:58

I have run over the odd foot in my time, thankfully I no longer need the pram, Although I did take pram on the bus and tubes (all with steeps and no lifts).

Other things that pee me off are the stupid people who stand in the doorway of buses and tubes when there is no need to.

I also love the way old people like to push in cause there old so obviously special.

I have always given my seat up as do my children, but I had surgury a few weeks ago and my first trip out on the bus (still burised and wobbley) I had an old lady sat next to me moaning I had not given my seat to another old lady who got on.
I am so going to have to pass my driving test soon so I can drive everywhere and god help anyone who says carbon footprint

VictorianSqualor · 10/06/2008 17:59

Get a car?
That's an ethically sound argument isn't it
What if you aren't planning on using the bus often, but your car breaks down?
Does that mean you have more right to have the wrong buggy.
Jeez, some of you people are unreal.
The spaces were there, it's good manners to make sure when on public transport you are not hindering someone else getting on, especially if it isn't going to cause you any great discomfort, like moving one seat to the back, or even sitting a seat further back when you get on, it's about two more steps!

FreddysTeddy · 10/06/2008 18:00

OMG VS, I knew somebody would take the bait!

Was tongue in cheek, sorry!

elkiedee · 10/06/2008 18:00

FreddysTeddy, I can't drive and I don't see why I should have to.

TheDullWitch · 10/06/2008 18:01

I can t believe there is even a shadow of doubt in ANYONE's mind that a wheelchair takes priority over a buggy!

FreddysTeddy · 10/06/2008 18:02

Oh fgs, I was jonking! Calm fucking down the lot of you.

JoyS · 10/06/2008 18:02

I just yell EXCUSE ME and push through. If people are in the pushchair space I ask them to move as politely as I can, and if they don't move I start pushing in anyway. Sounds awful but Londoners will do everything they can to pretend you're not there because they know they should move and don't want to! The more noise you make the more it shames them into giving up a little space.

I'm not talking about seats either, just standing room in the pushchair/wheelchair space.

FreddysTeddy · 10/06/2008 18:02

Jonking?

fiodyl · 10/06/2008 18:03

I guesed Freddy wasn't entirely serious, but it is one of the reasons im taking driving lessons though so I wont have to leave earlier than i need to just in case I cant get on the bus

Kimi · 10/06/2008 18:06

It was the attitude of the woman pushing the wheelchair that was wrong...

She pushed in the queue
She swore at the driver
She seemed to think that was all ok.
She was unlucky not special.

A new mum with a baby that needed feeding that had waited 15 mins for the bus and who was rude to no one will get my vote everytime.

Wheelchair or not she was in the wrong, If I had said a 15 year old with a bike pushed in I bet you would all have been up in arms!!

VictorianSqualor · 10/06/2008 18:06

I have not for one second claimed a buggy has priority over anything other than an able-bodied adult, or child, that includes old people, but not disabled of course.
FWIW, I sometimes use my sling, and whenever I have had a child capable of walking, had an umbrella pushchair which i would always collapse if someone with a younger child got on.

sheepgoMEEP · 10/06/2008 18:06

dunno how you would survive then with a big pram on the bus where I live as there are no pram/wheelchair accessible buses on my route

and its arriva and they are pretty shit anyway.

This is exactly why I dumped my big buggy with attatched car seat in favour of a stroller (newborn suitable)very early on.

I'm really lucky because most people up here are lovely and help you out by holding the baby or putting the stroller on the bus.

I would get a smaller pram one that you can fold if needs be, I know its a pain and why should you but there you go.