"priorty" seats on public transport what is your experience and opinion?

SingleSue

Glaswejen - we always moved for wheelchair users despite youngest's disability 'status.' We just put up with the screaming and general meltdown..not that anyone else was impressed with it! :rotfl:

For non wheelchair users but still in need of the seat, we would give up the seats right by the wheelchair space (in our buses, there are generally fold down seats in the wheelchair area and as the buggy was small, these could be used at the same time as the buggy being there). Ok, youngest would still scream but we would never have been as nasty as to see someone struggle.

The screaming was why we eventually gave up, it was doing nothing for ours or anyone elses sanity

cattie

One thing that really annoys me on buses is that sometimes an elderly person has been rightly sitting in a priority seat with their 4 wheeled Sholly in the space where wheelchairs & buggies can go & then on gets a loudmouthed mother with her kid in a buggy & as soon as they get on to the bus they holler out to the elderly person that they will have to move from there as she wants to put her buggy in the space. I've seen this on more than one occasion unfortunately. No politeness or consideration given whatsoever.

It angers me as many elderly folk use these Sholly shopping trolleys as an aid to walking & after all, so many older or disabled people need to use a shopping trolley as they are not able to carry more than a loaf of bread. No concession is made for these on buses, but I believe they should have the same right to occupy the space as a buggy or pram does as long as it isn't needed for a wheelchair.

After seeing one incident last year, where a chav type mother shouted to an elderly person that she'd just have to move, along with her Sholly, I did write to Boris Johnson asking for consideration to be given to the elderly who need to use shopping trolleys on buses, but got the most ridiculous reply from one of his minions that didn't address my concerns in any way.

Obviously the concerns of the elderly or less able being able to get their shopping home on the bus matter not to Boris or Transport for London.

I sadly have also been witness to young mothers kicking up a right fuss at having to be told by the driver to fold up their buggy or move their pram to make way for a wheelchair, as they have just stood there, not acknowledging that the space is required for somebody far less able than them.

Viberduo

Now this is the type of discussion I was looking for, now me I feel guilty about not moving but at same time think maybe I am overreacting as if they need a seat they will ask for it and will move if someone asks because on the times I have asked if someone wanted my seat they say no and proceed to back of bus anyway if not enjoy it as they sometimes have friends/neighbours there.

As for the shopping, similar I put my shopping on seat beside me if its one or two big bags or loads or little bags I sit at side of bus and have them under my feet yet you get people tutting and expecting you to magically move the bags for them, just as I have been squeezed against the window not even being able to move my legs whilst the person next to me has their legs spread, and often doing something like use their phone yet if I so much as move my legs as they are painful I have people be rude to me saying I am disturbing them.

I remember onetime getting on a quiet bus, at one stop it started getting people on and my bag was on the table, I was about to move it when this old man got on huffed at me then grabbed my bag and threw it back at me then kept tutting at me, the bus wasnt even packed just busy by that stop and I would of moved it had he asked, but then he brings out his lunch AND a newspaper and uses the whole table to himself and his wife sitting besides him and they talk about things like rude youngsters.

Indie_Kid

Morglin wrote: »

Surely, if someone is either elderly, heavily pregnant or struggling physically, common courtesy would be enough to make people offer their seats?


Lin

But one of those people who doesn't move, (I don't, or rather can't) may have an invisible disability which may make standing difficult. I, for example, can't stand because my balance is affected and I am currently nursing a leg injury. I don't really want to risk another injury by falling because the bus suddenly brakes.

seven-day-weekend

I must agree with the OP that parents (single mums or otherwise ) with prams take up an awful lot of room. But then again, there are seats set aside specifically for them. I just wish they would control their offspring instead of bunging them in a space facing the wall, filling the child's faces with Wotsits and talking on their mobiles for the entire journey, ignoring the fact that their child is fed up with looking at the wall and therefore getting twiney.

Rant over.

SmallL

I would like to think the seating is used by those whom need it. On one occasion I have sat in the 'priority' seats and would of explained if asked to move that I was feeling particulary unwell (I'm only early twenties).
I understand that everyone can have 'off' days and even normally 'fit' people may need to sit down on buses.

Generally I wouldhope common courtesy and kindness would prevail

singlehouseholder

Morglin wrote: »

I think priority seats should be of those that need them, but what really infuriates me is when mothers (who got their kids by choice) refuse to move their prams for a wheelchair user (not there by choice) trying up get on a bus! :mad:

Selfish individuals, with no excuse.

Lin

This is the exact scenario that fills me with dread and to be honest, is the reason I haven't got my partner to pop the application form for my free pass in the post. I even rang the travel company to see what would happen if the wheelchair space was occupied by a buggy, she said the driver could ASK , them to take the buggy down but couldn't insist. I could be waiting at the flippin bus stop all day!! :mad:

GlasweJen

singlehouseholder wrote: »

This is the exact scenario that fills me with dread and to be honest, is the reason I haven't got my partner to pop the application form for my free pass in the post. I even rang the travel company to see what would happen if the wheelchair space was occupied by a buggy, she said the driver could ASK , them to take the buggy down but couldn't insist. I could be waiting at the flippin bus stop all day!! :mad:

8 buses and 2 hours later I phoned first Glasgow customer services who sent a taxi to get me because none of their drivers would move a buggy from the wheelchair area. 3 of those buses didn't have a wheelchair space, 1 had a broken ramp and the rest just apologised and closed the door. I was livid.