Denial of wheelchair space

Darking

As a wheelchair user I have had problems with buggy owners refusing to fold buggy and hold the baby. I've been left sitting in the rain because the person won't fold the buggy because "my babies asleep".

Babies are woken for lots of reasons but people have fought for the space clearly described as the wheelchair area. Bus drivers have the responsibility to make them clear the space but are afraid of angry mums.

I 've seen buggies loaded with groceries and person holding the baby asleep in their arm. Occasionally someone will debus with the buggy to make the space available but it's rare. I know people are normally good and decent so what changes them on the bus?

richardg

I have the same problem the bus driver refuses to move the buggy so you are left they have a right by the law I will find the relevant  document and email it to to the  to carry passengers in wheelchairs and buggy have got to reposition them or leave the bus

Darking

I read The Big Red Book which all the drivers of tfl buses must follow. When I quote it they weigh up the risk of abuse from the young mums. They are supposed to ask for space to be made, then require them to move and stop the bus until it is done. https://www.transportforall.org.uk/news/big-red-book-fifth-edition/

JenF

I think many people are stressed on a bus. They've had a tiring shopping trip, they are going home from a bad day at work, and so on. Being a young mum is not easy, many are socially isolated and many are seriously short of sleep. Babies need their routine and in my experience if woken during an afternoon nap may not sleep well that night. 
But I say that only to explain what I think is going on. It cannot justify leaving a wheelchair bound person at the bus stop whatever the weather, except in the rare circumstance that another bus on the same route is literally just behind.

Darking

On rare occasions I have seen the mums leave the bus to make space for me rather than disturbing the baby by folding the buggy. My bus powerchair is very compact and I leave enough space for one buggy and have told the driver, busy explaining to a mum that she can't bring her buggy on, that there's still enough space for her. We are all tired and want to go home and it costs nothing to make room for one another. 

JenF

Well, exactly! A little politeness goes a long way to make life smoother for everyone.