Wheelchairs Or Pushchairs: Who Should Take Priority On Buses?

[dave50]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-30001656
Should it be first come first served?

[hc4361]

Well, yes, but so is the mother with the pushchair but she doesn't get extra money from the state specifically to help with travel costs.

[TWR]

HC, I once on a few occasions rang a local Taxi Firm, the bloke came around & said, ready Sir, I checked the car out, there was no "HOOKING POINTS for the chair, a makeshift ramp I said no thank you, that's unsafe for the Service User & It would be Void regards Insurance, there's not many cabs with Proper Ramps & Hooking Points.

[hc4361]

You should report that to the local council, TWR, They license the vehicles and should be made aware of this sort of thing

[New Judge]

Much of what you say about Mobility Allowance is probably true, hc. But bus operators are legally obliged to make provision for wheelchair users whilst they are not similarly obliged to accommodate unfolded buggies. The buses were designed with this in mind and, as the TfL policy states, buggy users may use the wheelchair space only when it is not required by a wheelchair user. It's quite straightforward and all the rest of these arguments are smoke an mirrors.

[Baldric]

Just got back from Shopping,
Mikey, I have in no way been offensive to you, simply put forward a viewpoint that does not agree with your own.
If you are going to keep referring to me as a Troll I will start reporting you, as I am aware you have been warned before.
Your choice!

[hc4361]

It's not straightforward though, NJ, in practice. If a mum (or dad) refuses to move and make way, what can the bus driver do?

Is it an actual law that has a fine or other penalty?

[TWR]

That was done HC

[Dizmo]

hc: As far as I know (without checking the 'law') the bus driver is well within their power to ask the person(s) to get off the bus.

[TWR]

It is left at the Drivers discretion HC, but he can request the Buggy be moved if the situation requires it, he also has the right to ask the passenger to leave the bus.

[TWR]

I hope this Post is not becoming slanging match? It's not worth it, lets just get on with it B>>>>>>>M End of.

[marval]

I would side with the wheelchair user, it wouldn't have hurt the lady to wake her baby. The buses I get only run once an hour, I would not be too pleased to have to wait in a wheelchair.

[Svejk]

Why didn't you say that^ to mikey when he called Baldric a troll, instead of agreeing with him.

[TWR]

I am not agreeing with anyone this is end of.

[Dizmo]

It's times like this when I'm glad I can walk, straight out the door and away from AnswerBank. Nearly every debate on here ends up in people name calling. Why is there a constant need to pick holes in everything? Everyone is entitled to their opinions but I honestly believe that you people enjoy having a stab at each other.

I'm going for a walk, somewhere where I don't have to listen to bickering.

[TWR]

I agree Dizmo100%

[Baldric]

^^, Cheers Good Soldier ;-)

[gness]

No, Dave...not first come, first served...otherwise people would use it for all sorts of shopping, parcels...even Tony Hawkes and his fridge...and claim that need took priority.

Were it my daughter in her pushchair I wouldn't have needed asking to lift her out and fold it.

But had it been my 3/4 year old nephew I would have removed the covers to show he couldn't walk or be put on a lap and hope that would be accepted without a row.....had we been on the bus first.

[SlackAlice]

I have just arrived and read this thread and as an Ex-London Bus driver of 33yrs experience can see you have no ideas of the practicalities.

1) Agreed, disabled wheelchair user has priority as defined in law and in the case of TFL routes it's incorporated in the contract.

2) pushchairs unfolded are allowed provided there is adequate space allowing safe passage of other passengers. Generally this means pushchairs must be folded to enable room for the disabled wheelchair passenger.

So, bus driver asks for pushchair to be folded and is met with a point blank refusal to do so. Bus driver says you must get off the bus and is met with a point blank refusal to do so. OK, I'll call the Police to remove you, when he places a call to the Police via TFL controllers he is subsequently told 'Your call is not an Emergency and will therefore be placed in a queue, you might be lucky to get a response in about an hour'

The other item to consider is the bus driver is under instructions from TFL and his employers not to leave the cab under any circumstances, for his own safety. If you do leave the cab and suffer injury you are not insured and could the lose your job.

So, put yourself in the position of the bus driver, what would you do???

[gness]

Oh, Slack....knowing how rude people can be I have no problem imagining the practicalities and difficulties....

What would I do....god knows.....just sit there til one of them gets fed up is the best I can think of.....x

[corylus]

Some of the pushchairs today are more like 4x4 vehicles, not as easy to fold up as earlier buggies were, but the wheelchair user should always have precedence.