Vent-The troubles of public transport

heart_free

My youngest son has just started his first ever job, which I'm very proud of as he's been out of work since college and also copes with learning disabilities. To get to work he catches a bus, but then has a 30 minute walk from there to his place of work. We've checked every bus and train time, but this is the only option. He can't drive, and it's probable he never will as he has poor coordination.

So last week he asked the bus driver if he would be able to take his bike in the bus as there are very few passengers at the times he catches it. He was told no, but that he could take a folding bike. We don't have a lot of money, as I've been unable to work most of this year with illnesses and disabilities, but we told him we'd buy him a folding bike as an early birthday present (his birthday is this Sunday). So Saturday we headed to Go a Outdoors and bought a folding bike at a discount price, and my son was over the moon.

His first shift of this week was this morning, so off he went on his folding bike to catch his bus. Folded it all up and waited for the bus. When he got on he was told NO bikes at all are allowed, not even folding ones! The driver this morning said he could take it this once, but couldn't take it back on to come home. So he's had to phone me to collect him this evening.

Anyway I rang stagecoach, and their official policy is that folding bikes are allowed on all vehicles, but they must be in a suitable bag or box. So now we have to go tonight and spend more money on a bag for the bike.

Considering the government is pushing for less people to use cars, and more to use public transport or cycling, the companies that operate these services sure don't make things easy! :mad:

Ok, feel a bit better now I've got that out of my system. Better get ready to go collect lad and bike from work

MothballsWallet

Stagecoach are an absolutely crap company, imo.

When I used to live with my parents Up North, they were the only bus company until you got into Aberdeen.

Anyone else tried to run competing services, they went crying to the lawyers, the council or somewhere like that to get them stopped.

Azari

MothballsWallet wrote: »

Anyone else tried to run competing services, they went crying to the lawyers, the council or somewhere like that to get them stopped.

In some areas they simply bought up any competition.

davehughes182

Maybe the driver was under the assumption that a case/bag comes with the bike when bought? I know if i purchased a folding bike i would expect it to come with one.

heart_free

Update - had an email from the PA to the directors saying that folding bikes ARE allowed on all busses, and that putting it in a bag is not compulsory. I've printed it out and my son can show to any driver that queries it.

Folding bikes don't come with a bag as standard, especially not at the budget end of the market. Having to buy it separately makes the companies more money. However, my oldest don is now buying the bag as a birthday present for his brother, so next week he'll have one anyway.

I agree that stagecoach are rubbish, but it's the only company that runs the route. Hopefully the email will make things easier. At least my son is making a big effort to get to work, not just saying he can't get there and staying on benefits. For someone with learning disabilities even small problems can seem insurmountable, and he was very upset when I spoke to him on the phone as he really wants to work and couldn't see a way around the problem of getting to work on time if he had to walk.

doughnutmachine

heart_free wrote: »

I agree that stagecoach are rubbish, but it's the only company that runs the route. Hopefully the email will make things easier. At least my son is making a big effort to get to work, not just saying he can't get there and staying on benefits. For someone with learning disabilities even small problems can seem insurmountable, and he was very upset when I spoke to him on the phone as he really wants to work and couldn't see a way around the problem of getting to work on time if he had to walk.

hat's off to him for getting a job. I hope he enjoys it:j

Pollycat

I'm glad you've got written confirmation from Stagecoach that the bike can travel too.

TBH, we use Stagecoach buses a lot - and I mean a lot - and they're not too bad in our area but on the odd occasions I feel I need to complain, they are usually pretty quick to respond.
I also email them if I'm happy with their service, especially last year in the really bad snow we had.

Hope the job works out for your lad, heart_free.

wiltslass

So glad you have managed to resolve this issue HF.It should not have arisen in the first place but it did and well done to you all for sorting it out. Good luck to your son, it does not sound a very easy journey and many would not make the effort. I hope he is enjoying his job.

pmduk

Why not forward the email to the local stagecoach depot? That way they can ensure drivers are trained.

SidP

It's about time buses in the UK carried bikes as standard. I know personally of at least one foreign destination that has implemented bicycle racks fitted to the front of many of their buses. They can carry two full-size non-folding bikes each. Would be nice to see a similar solution here.

WiggyDiggyPoo

IKEA BAGS

Don't buy a bike bag just yet, other users of folders on a forum I use report being able to fit their bike in one of these no problem. If no Ikea near you Ebay is probably the best bet.

Ps Don't forget his lights now the nights are drawing in, Wilko's do a decent enough set for £5 ish