Bus companies are not required by law to force parents with buggies to make way for wheelchair users

[DuelingFanjo]

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First Bus wins wheelchair court judgement - Bus companies are not required by law to force parents with buggies to make way for wheelchair users in designated bays on vehicles, senior judges ruled.

Might be a controversial opinion but I am glad.

I admit I've not read all the thread - got half-way through. I honestly don't see how any parent could have an issue here. If you use a bus, then you buy a foldable buggy (God you can pick up foldable strollers for £20) or you can use a sling/carrier. Problem solved, no? The only issue I can see is if you have twins/triplets, but even so, they are Disabled Spaces and are prioritised as such. I use a carrier when I get on the bus.

Haven't read whole thread but know of an 18 year old wheelchair user who waited 2 hours for a bus yesterday before getting a taxi home.

Of the 3 buses that came, 2 had wheelchairs already and one had a buggy user who refused to move.

There is no way that buses will refuse buggies completely. It will never happen. People with children are on every route. Do you actually believe that will happen??

I hope eventually this is backed by law, I don't think this will be the end of it.
anyone who doesn't move or fold then can be told to get off.
a wheelchair space should be just for that.

(why do threads like these always have bored GF"s on them?)

nomama I completely agree.

What's a bored GF?

Definitely, you would need security or conductors, a total ban on buggies would never work.

Curious that would result in a fare increase, which people would bleat about even MORE!

I've said it before, but whilst we stand here blaming each other; the bus companies don't have to do a bloody thing.

Buggies will never be banned, because they are the majority compared to wheelchair users. And the minority will always face discrimination. Which backs up my point above; why the fuck are people arguing amongst themselves, instead of blaming the bus companies? I'd rather a fare hike (which will happen anyway!!) go towards buses with better adaptability and flexible seating (as I mentioned in a post above), than I would see go towards security to enforce a law, because it doesn't actually solve the basic problem of lack of space and flexibility.

Get a different one then if you are not happy to refuse to fold for someone using a wheelchair. I suspect you are though and probably are feeling justified now. Sounds like a dig to me.

I am happy to ask for help and hand ds over to a stranger - I've done this several times in other situations but in my experience the people on my local public transport are less helpful.

Internet, mobile and sky are free courtesy of DPs job. what wasn't free was the cost of travel abroad to visit a sick close relative, medical expenses, funeral expenses, relatives debt left behind, travel expenses to visit me and ds in hospital after birth, cost of ongoing treatment for us and counselling, etc etc.

Is there a stroller for £20 that is suitable for a baby of under 6 months to be in for hours at a time? (genuine question)

I have no idea what a 'bored GF' is, but I expect it will be insulting

Maybe the bus companies should take photos of people who refuse to make way for wheelchair users, and put the pictures up at bus stops, or on a website (akin to the "YPLAC" site), so everyone knows which buggy users to glare at.
Public shaming is the only way with some people, and I daresay the threat of being public ally accountable for their actions would shift most of them.

Those buggy users who can fold, should.

auntie you don't have to justify yourself. I don't know of a stroller for a child as young as that on that budget.

If those who could fold their buggies did, this would be a non issue.

If those who could fold their buggies did, this would be a non issue

so true

I don't really care if I'm considered entitled.

I try to accommodate others but basically me and mine first.

Just like 99.9% of this world.

Life's tough for you? Yeah well, life's tough for me as well. It might be tough in a different way to you, and you might not consider it as tough but I couldn't really give a fig.

Name calling and insulting people on a MN thread isn't going to change a thing.

I spent 5 years dealing with crappy public transport and wheelchair issues. I didn't blame anyone other than the system and the big companies who put profit first. Then I got a grip and found other ways of getting my mum about. I passed my driving test for one. And I also found out about all the specialised transport that was available (she was able to picked up in a mini bus for hospital appointments for example).

I learnt a long time ago no one gives a shit about me and mine and I've adapted my attitude accordingly.

Life's a bitch. Its more of a bitch for some than others. Those the breaks.

And no one is going to sell their TV in case a stranger needs their space on a bus. At least be realistic with your demands ...

On another group I have just seen one woman tell another that she wouldn't fold or move so that her baby, who is disabled and on oxygen, could get on the bus!

I fucking hate this world!

I used a mothercare umbrella fold for ds2 (it was £45 and laid flat), folded even when on crutches, with two under two and the beginnings of an awful illness when a wheelchair boarded. No excuse is good enough.

I now use a wheelchair for said illness. I have two young children and will only get worse. Some people need to get a fucking grip.

'Is there a stroller for £20 that is suitable for a baby of under 6 months to be in for hours at a time? (genuine question)'

I have no idea, and don't understand what this has to do with the thread to be honest. The buggy market and choice has feck all to do with attitude.

Or are you expecting wheelchair users to chain themselves to Mothercare doors and refuse to move until they give out free bus friendly buggies to otherwise entitled parents?

I think we need to go back to all buggies being folded before with perhaps permits issued if there is a disabled parent or child. If people weren't so selfish this wouldn't be needed.

A flat lying umbrella fold cheapo buggy is a hell of a lot better for a baby than a travel system with a carseat, which is what most parents use. Doesnt look as fashionable though...

Or, if you can use one, a sling.

Xmas2014MN3403 it was a genuine question for those saying all buggy's except strollers should be banned and they could be bought for £20 and your post comes off as deliberately trying to insult me. I expect nothing of the sort and I would make room for a wheelchair as I've already said.

If fines were issued to people who didn't fold or move, you'd soon fond that those who say they can't now, would all of a sudden be able to!

As I've said before, if someone couldn't fold (for a variety of reasons) and had to get off of the bus, how can you stop that person having to pay more than once for their journey?

Well WUME I personally am glad dealing with some tough stuff hasn't made me all bitter and with a fuck everyone else mindset.