Bus driver refused me boarding in wheelchair

[MobilityCat]

I was refused boarding again recently but because I now know the law I jammed the door open and told him that I won't move until he let me on. I quoted the law below and he gave up and cleared the wheelchair space for me.

"S24 of the Public Passenger Vehicle Act 1981 states

Bus drivers refusing to allow wheelchair users onto buses where the wheelchair space is either unoccupied or occupied by people who can readily and reasonably move are committing a crime. They can be prosecuted, given a £500 fine and 3 penalty points."

Well done OP it's good you had the confidence to do that. Some people wouldn't have.

I remember when mine was little and I was waiting at bus stop with wheelchair user and he said something about him needing to get on, quite curtly and how I'd have to let him.
I told him it folds up. We both fit on anyway when it came but I think he expected me to just go on the bus and not let him on

I have used wheelchair spaces for my buggy when DS was younger. The space wasn't in use and I don't see why keeping it clear matters providing it is cleared without question or complaint as soon as a wheelchair user needs to board the bus.

The massive problem is that not everyone will willingly clear the space and half the time the drivers won't even ask.

I don't understand why luggage racks went from buses though. Doesn't make sense

Great, yes let's pick a fight with someone supporting disabled rights, just because they use slightly outdated terminology (that is still in wide use). What a win that will be. Let's all have a lovely purity spiral instead of actually doing anything constructive.

I hate these so much! Why did they have to bolt it right in the middle of the luggage rack? Such a waste of much needed space. I want to start carrying a screwdriver and spanner so I can surreptitiously remove the bloody things when the driver isn’t looking.

I absolutely get where you are coming from OP and I fold and move every time, and am glad you stood up for yourself.

BUT!! Bus companies need to stop putting bloody newspaper racks on what was once the luggage rack where people place folded buggies. Absolutely ridiculous to do that then persecute pram users for not being able to fold and place their pram somewhere.

Public transport is for everyone, not just the disables, able bodied or parents and making it awkward for all those people for the sake of having the Metro on there is a dick move. I'm looking at you First Bus.

Disabled* that should read. MN need's a FREE edit button.

What decade was this? Because I've never once had a driver offer to help me board with my 3 dc. Half the time, if I've had to fold the pushchair they're driving off before we're even sat down regardless of the baby and toddler in my arms. If we've got bags as well, it's physically impossible for me to fold and board on my own, so we wait for the next bus.
I would of course move for a wheelchair, no questions asked but if the space is free, I'm going to use it.

Tbf I hardly ever saw anyone use the luggage rack other than school kids opting to sit in them when the bus was packed.

I don't drive so when I'm going somewhere I often used the bus then train so I did used to use the luggage rack. Not now as there isn't one!

Good on you op. It is shameful that you have to do this. I hope that you got some support from fellow travellers and your day got better.

Thank you OP. I use a large, electric wheelchair and while I don’t use a bus often I am grateful for the information, should I use one in the future.

I am also grateful that you were brave enough to take this stand. I’ve literally copied your info from the OP into my notes on my phone so I can have it ready to send to wheelchair using friends and to quote to any driver if necessary.

💐

I used the luggage rack most times I travelled with a pram or luggage. As did a lot of people.

In fact if space is dire I will just chuck the folded chassis on top of the stupid newspaper box which is more often than not completely empty. If they want the shitty Metro on the bus then attach a rack to the fucking wall!!!

No one said she made a fuss. Just she opted to get off the bus instead of fold. Prams are different now, they are bulky and heavier than when I was in one. She chose the easier option for her, one that still allowed the wheelchair user on. Not sure why people are slating her. Classic mumsnets weird anti mum and child stance. Ironic really

I remember the days of folding a buggy to board a bus and sitting your child on your lap. Pram = walk!
Sadly entitlement and poor attitude cause problems.

@DohADear I imagine that @SleepingStandingUp would nit expect the driver to make a unilateral decision to refuse to allow you to board because she was occupying the space, and she would also be looking out and ready to vacate the space without being asked the moment she saw you at the door of the bus. That was my approach when I took the buggy on buses in London. I didn’t once coincide with a wheelchair user in 4 years though.

As a twin buggy user (babies are a few months old and no way I can take them out and fold up the buggy), I don't understand why there can't be a buggy space as well as a wheelchair user space. Being a woman is also a protected characteristic, and it's mostly women who bear the brunt of childcare. It means I avoid the bus, which is unfair. (Before anyone comes for me, I also have a disability which is recognised under the Equality Act, I'm not being ableist.)

As a twin mum I just didn't try and use public transport when they were babies.
This isn't green and it should be possible but it is difficult.
I didn't want to risk being made to leave a bus at random places not knowing when I would be able to finish my journey.

Agree BUT it depends on which pram you own. We have a travel one that folds but our every day one has a fold down base but the bit the baby sits in is separate and doesn't "fold down", suspect that's why the person chose to debus rather than fold

Common sense that disabled / wheel chair users should take priority!

The twin pramI I had when dc were babies did fold but folded it was still very large with two little cots.
Folded up it took up almost as much space as unfolded, it wouldn't have helped any bus situation much.
This isn't anything to do with disabled people accessing disabled spaces just a comment on the changing nature of travel equipment for dc.

I’m sorry you had to do this but delighted you did.

@daffodilandtulip
Remember some disabled children use pushchairs, I had a letter from the bus company saying I counted as a wheelchair

Glad you stood your ground and got on

Being a woman is not a protected characteristic! That's ridiculous.

Of course it is. Sex is a protected characteristic.