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Was told I don't give a shit about my baby today.

246 replies

Flossam · 18/01/2005 17:39

My pram is (unfortunately) too big to fit through the front of the buses where I live (london) but luckily buses here have back doors too, which many people use to get on and off them. I got on the bus today at the back, and as I was doing so heard the hydrolics go for them to shut, but obviously the driver realised I was getting on and stopped. Anyway, I went to the front to pay and the driver said to me 'You pull a stunt like that again on my bus and you won't get on' I had to ask him to repeat it, and then tried to explain to him that I was sorry but I couldn't fit through the front. He said I should of 'asked' first. Anyway, I wasn't too bothered, walked away having paid and two more passengers got on. To the first he said 'did you see here with that bloody pram?' And to the second he said 'obviously dosen't give a shit about here baby'.

To this I saw absolutely red and went to the front of the bus again, when he repeated what he said again, and told me I could of killed my baby (I don't think so strapped in to a secure, if bulky pram). I told him I would complain and asked him his name, he laughed, asked him the bus number, again he laughed. I decided I couldn't stay on and got off the bus at the next stop, then thought about it and asked for my money back. Surprise, surprise, he refused. I went home again, cried all the way home, and have phoned a complaint through, but still felt the need to rant here, sorry. Did he really have any right to call me that? I think it's hard enough to be a new mum without people casting such dispersions over you.

OP posts:
misdee · 18/01/2005 20:47

But the bus companies cant afford to replace all buses at once. its gonna be a long slow process, and even 9yrs down thew line there are gonna be some buses which are inaccessable to us. and we're gonna have to deal with. And even then if there are other wheelchair users, mums with prams already using the designated spots then we'll have to wait or collaspe the buggy. not too bad on the way to town, but a nightmare on the way back with bags of shopping etc i will admit.

The reason why it hasnt been an immediate issue is that the disability act didnt come into effect till oct 04 (i'll find the correct name in a bit) but public transport has 10years extra to sort this out.

Is it really such a hardship to collaspe the buggy? some buses have 2or3 steps up and there is no way i could wheel a buggy on there.

misdee · 18/01/2005 20:49

btw i do feel that we should be able to use buses easily, but its not gonna happen overnight! lets go annoy ken, the bloomin adverts annoy me, as its not always possible to use a bus.

lockets · 18/01/2005 20:50

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misdee · 18/01/2005 20:52

you're braver than me at using the tube with abuggy!

spod · 18/01/2005 20:52

dunno about anyone else, but i do feel it is difficult to collapse a buggy, hold a baby and carry any shopping all at once... and babies can't be popped on the floor while you get on a bus, bus companies are not poor old dears scraping together pennies, they are large companies who should have been catering for their clients a very long time ago

lockets · 18/01/2005 20:54

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victoriapeckham · 18/01/2005 20:54

What is a troll? Someone who doesn't blindly agree with everyone else? Much easier to call them that than to engage in a debate. I note the language you use towards Misdee who dared to give an opposing view -"good kicking" etc. Isn t that bullying?

As for safety issue of folding your pushchair. How many babies/children have been hurt because they were sitting on knees? In the history of buses? It is just less convenient, that is all. And would involve consideration for other bus users.

Frankly, I am more disgusted by the attitude on here to old people, that they are dirty, would pollute your precious babies, have no right to sit at front of bus (where it is easier for the less able to get off without being thrown around the bus).

And I would always give up my seat for someone carrying a baby, just as I would for an elderly person.

misdee · 18/01/2005 20:54

put shopping on first, hold baby and collapse buggy at same time. (only works with one hand fold buggy)

make the bus driver wait

at the other end, buggy and baby off, tell him to wait whilst u strap baby in, then get shopping bags.

lockets · 18/01/2005 20:57

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Socci · 18/01/2005 20:59

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pootlepod · 18/01/2005 20:59

In Scandinavia, most buses have 3 doors, front middle and back. Most people get on at the front and punch their ticket/pass to validate it. However, they are allowed to get through the middle one and there is a punching machine there so people don't have to leave their pushchairs/wheelchairs. It's not unusual to have silvercross type prams on the bus. I really can't see why that can't be introduced on London buses with 2 doors.

spod · 18/01/2005 21:01

understand what you're saying misdee, but why should parents with buggies HAVE to struggle? I couldnt collapse my buggy and hold my dd... and I wouldnt hand her to anyone (old dear or not) on a bus.... why should we be made to feel that we are inconveniently holding up a bus, why do we have to point out that a driver should allow extra time.... not everone has confidence to do this... these are issue that disabled people have been fed up about for years. Its the 'drawing attention' factor I guess. Bus companies shouldnt have waited to be forced to improve access by legislation, they should have done it years ago because its what their client group need

Cardigan · 18/01/2005 21:03

What a terrible experience - complain. What about other users of buses such as people in wheel chairs. Do they have to ask first !!! - I think not. Those other passengers were awful to - so annoyed for you.

nailpolish · 18/01/2005 21:03

has anyone mentioned baby carriers? i use mine to death and keeps baby close so they sleep too, all cosy

morningpaper · 18/01/2005 21:04

Lockets I thought you said you'd put reins on misdee...

VP: I can't reply to you because I'm only typing with one hand because I'm flushing misdee's head down the toilet with the other.

Nailpolish: I stared at your post for ages before I realised what kn*bends was. I thought it was something about doing kneebends to get on the bus.

Pootle: my pram is a silver-cross style thing from the 80s that someone gave me and I'm too tight to replace - it doesn't fold down.

lockets · 18/01/2005 21:04

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nailpolish · 18/01/2005 21:06

morningpaper

i cant stop laughing! you are so funny

have a vivid picture of staring at the post

galaxy · 18/01/2005 21:07

Oh look Victoria Peckham and controversy - I remember having a run in with you once before. Have you upset your neighbours lately coz they don't wanna play with your kids?

Flossam - You weren't in the wrong.

spod · 18/01/2005 21:07

and vp... everyone has the right to use whatever buggies on a bus... would you question the size of a persons wheelchair? I have a 3-wheeler only because it was the lightest buggy i could find as i have a seriously bad back... getting on and off a bus is bad enough with having to collapse a buggy/hold child/shopping/ deal with people tutting/and arse of bus driver. Whats wrong with having a space for buggies? bus companies can provide this. just because you managed perfectly fine doenst mean everyone else can.

pootlepod · 18/01/2005 21:07

Morning paper, I meant the scandanavian buses can fit big prams on and I think we should too. I sometimes take my 3 wheeler on the bus but only if I feel I'm ready for a fight if need be.

nailpolish · 18/01/2005 21:09

cough

baby carriers

spod · 18/01/2005 21:09

(parents and nannies) sorry lockets

spod · 18/01/2005 21:10

couldnt use baby carrier with my dd...weighs a tonne!

morningpaper · 18/01/2005 21:10

Pootle: yes I understood, I meant to sound like I was in agreement.

nailpolish · 18/01/2005 21:11

spod - not even the ones baby is on your back? i just think they are the best things ever invented