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."

By second part I meant the bit that starts with 12.-1 This regulation applies (subject to regulation 15(1) (duties requiring the proper functioning of equipment)) in relation to a driver and a conductor of a Schedule 1 vehicle.

Just googled it and saw that it comes from The Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) (Amendment) Regulations 2002

Page 100 of the Big Red Book, the manual for tfl drivers says: Wheelchair and mobility scooter users must be given access to the wheelchair priority area even if it is occupied by buggies and other customers. They can only travel safely in the priority area, so you must ask customers to move by using the pre-recorded announcements or making your own PA announcement. It is important you stay professional and calm as this will help wheelchair and mobility scooter users feel valued and more confident about travelling on London’s buses.

Well done for doing your own research, but the parts I quoted and condensed still support my OP. Read it in context.

Well done for doing your own research, but the parts I quoted and condensed still support my OP. Read it in context.

I was asking so people can quote the correct laws so they can make a well informed and legal correct complaint. Why would you deliberately try to make others look like morons?

Not sure why you quoted me, both the poster I quoted and I agree with you and support you.

Have you reported it?

To be fair, you have no idea if those people have disabilities themselves. Thankfully I have a car but I was a disabled parent. I should've been in a wheelchair but I was obviously unable to push a pram from a wheelchair so I had to get a good, sturdy pram I could lean on and make the best of it. If I'd been ordered to move by some idiot who presumed I was fit & able, based on the fact that I'm pushing a pram, I'd be fuming and would whip out my blue badge!!!!

I've also been refused boarding with a folded buggy which is making traveling with my children difficult I have 2 under 2 and a child in a disability buggy I have to use public transport I've no choice I will never be able to drive.
I fold down the younger kids buggy and just keep the older one in his special needs pushchair for his safety and the safety of everyone else. Before any asks how I push 2 buggies I don't I always travel with someone. Many time I've nearly dropped my 4 month old standing up with him cause no one will give me a seat when I do need to take him out his buggy.

I would travel on train with them but most stations we need are not accessible.

Thank you.

Im just coming back to the thread and can see I caused unintended offence. If the offended poster would like to correct me on my language for future use, I’d be grateful for the reeducation.

Just saying, but yes I went to the Catford bus depot and asked for the manager/senior driver who told me that it was up to the driver.

I'm not offended at all, I'm just glad that it's raising awareness.

Thank you for your support, I was making the point that however full the bus is the driver must sort it out.

Well done op.

I don’t use public transport very often but I’m really sad to read that you have to quote legislation in order for people to realise they are committing a crime by refusing you access.

It’s even harder to read that some people have such a sense of entitlement that they consider a buggy or a pushchair to be of equal priority on a bus. Presumably they chose to have children whereas the wheelchair user is not using one out of choice.

But don’t you see that it’s a problem if women (and it is almost always women) with young children can’t access public transport? There needs to be an option for the bus to carry folded pushchairs at the very least.

Yes there should be options for small light fold down buggies that don't take up much space. It's a separate issue to the wheelchair spaces though. People should not just expect to take wheelchair spaces because there isn't enough space for their pushchair. They need to make sure they get the smallest lightest pushchair option available to them, (appropriate to their needs), and campaign for space for these if there still isn't enough room.

I'm not trying to make anyone out to be a moron, you kept asking so I kept explaining. I have given the correct legal information, summarised in my OP. Why I said read it in context is you picked up part of the text. You said that the law didn't support my OP and I showed you that it did.
I don't want to be drawn into an argument, you have the right to a different opinion, I'm trying to help people to know that the driver is responsible under the law to make the wheelchair space available.

However, from what you've quoted, the exfeptions are
Another wheelchair user in the spot (obv) or passengers or their effects are in that space and they or their effects cannot readily and reasonably vacate it by moving to another part of the vehicle.
Arguably this applies to buggies and pushchairs / prams where it cannot fit in the other side (given the two wheeled vehicles rule) and it cannot be collapsed due to the baby's age, the baby's disability (mine would have been attached to an o2 tank and possibly a feed pump to his NG so no way of decanting him onto a random lap), parents disability, multiples etc.

I'm not arguing the ethics, I've clearly stated we move, I'm just saying actually what you've posted isn't iron clad

After my OP I gave a full description of the points supported by the law, including the section you raised. Your points are valid and all the examples you have made are equally valid as a wheelchair, even where a shopping trolley is used as an aid for walking.
I don't know nationally but in London you can get a permit for any buggy pram pushchair etc and have priority.
Since I use the larger buses which usually have a decent sized wheelchair bay I go right in and leave space behind me. Anytime I see the driver telling a buggy mum she can't board because I'm there I call out there's space for her and they let her on. It's really give and take. I get a bit militant because I'm really disabled by the environment, anywhere I go, steps, no dropped kerb, blocked drop kerbs etc.

Surely the passengers who should get off are those who are standing in the aisles?

Interesting that in Scotland, a driver can ask a person to move a pushchair but can’t enforce it.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/help-for-disabled-travellers1/rights-of-disabled-passengers-s/rights-of-disabled-passengers-using-buses-and-coaches-s/

I’m struggling to find the exact law on this issue. Most info say that drivers cannot compel someone to fold up their buggy and move, nor can they compel them to leave the bus.
https://www.disabledtraveladvice.co.uk/bus-travel-wheelchair-users.html?utm_content=cmp-true
Maybe someone can post a link?

Her in the Middle you reverse your chair in against the backboard and they're a pull down chair for a passenger / the person's carer, otherside is for buggy but drivers are not allowed to have more than 2 buggies or 1 buggy and 1 wheelchair on. Some do, cos they understand, but they can get in trouble. I've even been told a double counts as 2 😂 even tho I obv can't take up two spaces cos they're across the aisle

Surprising today the bus pulled up and deployed the ramp, as I drove up into the bus I saw a specialised electric wheelchair, extra long as the occupant had her legs straight and strapped in.

I would normally not have expected to have the ramp out and would have agreed to wait for the next bus, but since I was already on, but in the doorway, I expected a debate with the driver. He simply asked if I was OK there and I assured him that I was.

He started the bus and drove on with me hanging on to the handrail. Champion driver, first class, considerate person.

Thank you for your link it was very interesting
Here's the law
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/14/section/24

You can wade through it if you want to, or scroll up a bit and see the parts of this law confirming my OP.