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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:
windygalestoday · 12/06/2008 10:35

By VictorianSqualor on Thu 12-Jun-08 09:23:20
7 year old child?
I don't think I'd say anything to anyone who had a seven year old in the buggy as it's likely there would some kind of disability so IMO, just as entitled as someone in a wheelchair.

the child had minutes before been running up
and down the bus with his cone of chips and can of tango it was more his mum wanting to not dismantle the buggy-trust me im very aware with children with sn .....

VictorianSqualor · 12/06/2008 11:55

Ah, ok, I'm sure you can see my point.

1dilemma · 12/06/2008 20:47

no edam the places are for wheelchairs and pushchairs that's what it says in the buses I catch anyway.

Bottom line is I was there first she (hypothetical) would be shoving me out of the way.
If the bus is full I have to wait for the next should be the same for wheelchairs, who incidentally also have the option of catching a cab or using their motability car or pushing the little lever and using the battery or calling one of the massive numbers of community transport vehicles (adapted) crawling the streets, wasting petrol and destroying the atmosphere.
I do not have the option of walking I can only catch 1 bus after leaving work in order to get to afterschool club on time.

Off to read rest of thread now

1dilemma · 12/06/2008 21:00

Am I right in thinking I remember seeing the signs saying 'no child may occupy a seat when a fare paying adult is standing'?

AuntieMaggie · 12/06/2008 21:04

I can see how this must have been frustrating and inconvenient, but please try not to judge people. Where I live the seats that flip down in the wheelchair/pushchair space are also marked for disabled/elderly people, which may have been what these people were.

I once was on a bus sat on one of the front seats in the middle of the seat as due to a medical condition and surgery I would have been in agony with anyone sat next to me. The bus was pretty empty but a woman still made some nasty comment about me when she got on the bus about me taking up 2 seats.

If I had been on the bus you got on I probably wouldn't have gone and sat at the back of the bus either, but to be honest I think that I am as entitled to that space as anyone else and wouldn't have done it out of laziness or spite. But then I probably would have offered to help you put the buggy down or held your baby while you did.

TheBlonde · 12/06/2008 21:13

tfl's site says that if someone with a wheelchair wants to get on then buggies etc have to move

windygalestoday · 12/06/2008 23:08

1 dilemma i remember those signs years ago lol- nowadays the fare for a child is 70p nd whilst my sons do stand so adults can sit i do uietly begrudge the fare if they stand.

1dilemma · 12/06/2008 23:17

Free round here

For all under 16 I think? (?14)

This was when I had a school bus pass

TheBlonde · 13/06/2008 08:18

buses are free for everyone under 18 in London (also free for the over 65s, and wheelchair users)

windygalestoday · 13/06/2008 08:24

not here in gtr manchester 70p a junior fare and for me to travel less than a mile to town its 1 way £1.70

Fillyjonk · 13/06/2008 08:39

oh but it is like the P&C spaces, isn't it

its just common courtesy to move. Its just rude not to.

I would say to the OP-have you considred a sling? I would not get on a bus with a buggy, tbh, aside from one that is very easy to fold down.

2shoes · 13/06/2008 11:19

!By 1dilemma on Thu 12-Jun-08 20:47:08
no edam the places are for wheelchairs and pushchairs that's what it says in the buses I catch anyway.

Bottom line is I was there first she (hypothetical) would be shoving me out of the way.
If the bus is full I have to wait for the next should be the same for wheelchairs, who incidentally also have the option of catching a cab or using their motability car or pushing the little lever and using the battery or calling one of the massive numbers of community transport vehicles (adapted) crawling the streets, wasting petrol and destroying the atmosphere.
I do not have the option of walking I can only catch 1 bus after leaving work in order to get to afterschool club on time.

Off to read rest of thread now "

gotta be one of the most "all about me" post's I have ever read

1dilemma · 14/06/2008 00:29

read the thread 2shoes you've come in on the middle of a conversation why would I be discussing the weather when talking about my trip home from work?
why would I be discussing yours?

salsmum · 14/06/2008 02:27

Sorry just had to add a post before bed! Firstly let me state how bloody patronising I thought the statement about people 'tiptoeing around disabled people' was posted by MrsNoOne weds 11th june. You are very welcome to spend a week at my house with my daughter who has Cerebral Palsy and just see how Most disabled people are treated by society as a whole...you will soon retract your sweeping generalisation. Secondly I do not condone rudeness by anyone Young, old or indeed disabled people. I help mums with buggies mostly without thanks . BUT the lady in the wheelchair
who was abusive on the bus could have been in alot of pain that made her act out of character or it could have been the medication she was on or she may have Dementia which made my own mother angry at times. I'm not excusing her behaviour but just as the 'new mum' had to get home to feed her baby this lady may have had to get home for her medication that the carer may have forgotten . I know it can be a struggle with toddlers/babies on transport BUT your babies will be walking on the bus at 3 years my daughter will have the struggle to be wheeled on the bus for life! .

2shoes · 14/06/2008 09:37

1dilemma what a load of
I have been reading the thread. your post was ill informed and total rubbish.

  1. why should people in wheelchairs have to pay for a taxi?
  2. not everyone in a wheelchair gets motarbility so might not have transport.
  3. community transport has to be booked in advance

and as for the comment about useing their powered chairs. have you ever tried it.
I have and have now given up using it outside the home.

salsmum · 14/06/2008 10:39

1dilemma,
Seeing as you seem to take exception to wheelchair users on buses I feel I need to rectify a few points for you [fri 13th 20;47] Electric wheelchairs need quite a bit of space to turn which you generally would NOT find on a packed bus...GOD FORBID THEY MIGHT RUN OVER SOMEONES FOOT! community transport is very hard to book and does not cover hospital appointments as for the statement you made about community transport destroying the atmosphere..HOW BLOODY DARE YOU Why don't you do your bit for the atmosphere and ride a bike to work and leave London transport for those who really need it?.I'm sure if my daughter had the option of spending just 1 day out of her wheelchair and jumping on a bike she would GLADLY....count your blessings YOU have the option. Maybe do some charity work with disabled people and you may find a grain of compassion and understanding in your heart for those less fortunate than yourself.

getbackinyouryurtjimjams · 14/06/2008 10:40

OP is reasonable to be annoyed.

Do you have any inkling how ignorant you sound 1dilemma?

juneybean · 14/06/2008 15:22

I have read the thread and I will always give up the foldy down seats for anyone older than me or for a buggy/wheelchair.

However must say the grossly oversized prams are meant for walking ... so yeah I agree if you're going to be using the bus regularly get a bus-friendly buggy.

Though not one group of people are innocent, even mums with buggys take the piss sometimes.

Once I got on the bus with my charge and knew there was a buggy behind me so made space by NOT sitting down next to the buggy.

The other mother who was with a child older than mine decided she did need to sit down and repetedly rammed her buggy into mine in order to make space for herself to sit down.

1dilemma · 14/06/2008 21:44

OK calm down I have never refused to move for a wheelchair.

I can't bike

Hospital transport would cover hospital appointments.

I am not prepared to say what I do/how I spend my time on here to justify my opinion it's just that being abusive doesn't help to change my opinion. I don't think I have heard one convincing arguement why round here I should get off the bus to allow the particular person I am thinking about in a wheelchair on but I will go back ad re-read all in one go to see if you have convinced me.

I no more think views like that help equality than all women shortlists do for equalility amongst MPs its patronising (you're not good enough for the job noone would chose you wiht normal competition so we'll just make sure there isn't any.)

I'm obviously confused 2shoes I thought everyone in a wheelchair would be eligable to DLA and motorbility at one of the rates, should be if not.

Salsmum I almost certainly do more for tha environment/atmosphere than you and definately spend way way way more time with disabled people than a lot of the people on here. Do you know me? I don't think I know you

2shoes · 14/06/2008 22:09

well for example my SM is in a wheelchair. cos of her age she doesn't qualify for motorbility. now they can aford a W/A car but many in their position can't. also to have a motorbility car you have to have someone to drive it.

1dilemma · 14/06/2008 22:15

whose they?

can't motorbility cars be adapted? (obv I know not suitable for all I'm not stupid!)

1dilemma · 14/06/2008 22:16

I may not be stipid nut I can't spell and must start previewing

who are 'they'?

1dilemma · 14/06/2008 22:27

but

I prove my point

salsmum · 14/06/2008 22:28

1dilemma,
I'm sorry but you seem to be contradicting yourself..you say you don't 'know me' but then make the statement that you do more for the environment/atmosphere than me . I'm also sure that if YOU do spend [quote] way way way more time with disabled people you would A) know that not ALL disabled people get DLA.
B)you would also know [as I do] that Hospital transport is only available in most areas city hospitals to people who can transfer into a passenger seat NOT for people who cannot get out of wheelchair because 99% of the transport does'nt have the wheelchair clamps.
I know a good many proffessional carers [personal level] and have worked in charities for young people with special needs/medical conditions and physical disabilities for a number of years AND I have a daughter and mother in a wheelchair and a mum-in-law with Dementia...so now you DO know me . I feel that if you do spend alot of time around disabled people you should at least show a little more compassion and understanding when reffering to them in your posts as the carers I know would.

2shoes · 14/06/2008 22:30

what I mean is they don't get motarbility cos of theor age.
we have a moterbility(can never spell that) van and it is adapted.
but if you are over a certain age you don't get the allowance that pays for it.
not all wheelchair users can drive.
(hope this makes some sort of sense. the bee gees are singing)