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.

Yes - babies - I suppose that is similar to shops and cafés having the right to refuse to serve people.

But on the other hand I don't think cafe or restaurant staff would be liable for drunk or disorderly customers?

'Thankfully lots of the people objecting to this entitled attitude are buggy users too.'

I've used a buggy for 8 years. I've never used a wheelchair. Nor do I know anyone personally who does. You don't have to be disabled to be a decent human being. And you don't have to be a decent human being simply because you are disabled.

There is no hierarchy of wheelchair space use. If Nigel Farage got on my bus in a wheelchair needing the space I would make room. I do not get to judge the merits or otherwise of the relative worth of the space-user in relation to myself. It would be his space.

Yes agreed. Someone had said it was a "them or us' argument.

It is if "them" is entitled selfish people and "us" are those with morals.

I used a bus today where the space was for wheelchair users AND prams. This is Portugal. Mostly it's so that either can be in a place that allows other users around the bus.
ATM buses are used on a first come first served basis. There is no provision for standing adults to get off a full bus for a wheelchair user, so I don't really see why a small buggy should be forced to leave the bus. I dont think parents should need to explain why they wont fold . Large prams are impractical for public transport, though. So, unless you do need them, you should get a more practical chair for public transport. I got a cheap one off eBay.

I do agree there is no hierachy, but just want to say that just because there isnt, it doesnt mean a (manual) wheelchair user may not fold. We are people too, you know. if i saw someone with newborn twins and was having a good day so i could stand and move okay, i'd (get my dh to) fold my chair. Same if someone had a powerchair, or i wasnt in a rush to get somewhere. I'm not some evil witch who will give my space up for noone.

Pretty much the same as when i had a pram and another pram was waiting. I'd happily fold my double (while, shock horror, giving the kids to strangers ) so a newborn could get on.

Not all people are space hogging cunts, just cause they got there first.

I wouldn't give a shit if someone did take a picture of me for Facebook - I'd smile for the camera.

Like I said, I won't be bullied so carrying on trying to 'shame' me and insulting me.

Water off a ducks back.

No one is trying to shame you. Just making their own judgements based on your actions and words.

how can you shame someone who has no shame?

Good grief. I guess then that shop keepers bully their customers into paying for their goods by installing cctv cameras then?

You might give a shit when you were prosecuted for antisocial behaviour :)

Below is a link to a pdf from the Confederation of Passenger Transport Uk dealing with Bus operators and wheelchair provision in Scotland - seems to go back a few years but the Disability Discrimation Act 2005 is mentioned.

www.cpt-uk.org/_uploads/attachment/711.pdf

Here is a survey from that pdf taken in Edinburgh by Mori:

'Recent research by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council suggests that public opinion supports the safeguarding of wheelchair spaces for wheelchair users. In answer to the question “Buses have limited space for wheelchairs and prams. Which do you think should have priority?”

• 57% of respondents said “wheelchairs”
• 8% of respondents said “prams”
• 27% of respondents said “whichever is on the bus first”
• 7% of respondents said “don’t know”

I suppose if someone is selfish enough to not give way to a wheelchair user they are not going to be shamed. That is why I think the ruling is wrong- the selfish ones should be made to move.

FairyCaravan, I think one Tory in particular would care about disabled access. David Cameron did after all lose a disabled son. Also what about those who may not use a wheelchair, but are both due to be a mum with a buggy and have a disability too? Should they be left out in the cold and rain with their child or allowed on the bus as they fit two priority groups? Perhaps what we need here is balance - equal rights for all no matter what their circumstances and better "policing", for want of a better word, of those who abuse / take advantage of the system.

oh ffs all these made up scenarios.
now we have Scameron giving a shit
I do wish people would just adept that a wheelchair space should be for a wheelchair,