Wheelchair bus case

lisyloo

Thus is the case of a bus company not forcing a buggy passenger to move for a wheelchair passenger - now going to the Supreme Court.

I have sympathy for disabled people, however if bus drivers aren't going to be allowed to you touch anyone (for fear of assault claims) let alone move babies then won't the police have to be called to get someone to move?
Doesn't this mean everyone is now waiting for the next bus whilst the first one waits for the police?
So whilst I have total sympathy this means everyone waits rather than just the wheelchair passenger waiting?

I do appreciate there is a point of principle here, just thinking through the practical consequences.

westernpromise

Is there a link?

antrobus

westernpromise wrote: »

Is there a link?

Yes.:)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36534907

CLAPTON

lisyloo wrote: »

Thus is the case of a bus company not forcing a buggy passenger to move for a wheelchair passenger - now going to the Supreme Court.

I have sympathy for disabled people, however if bus drivers aren't going to be allowed to you touch anyone (for fear of assault claims) let alone move babies then won't the police have to be called to get someone to move?
Doesn't this mean everyone is now waiting for the next bus whilst the first one waits for the police?
So whilst I have total sympathy this means everyone waits rather than just the wheelchair passenger waiting?

I do appreciate there is a point of principle here, just thinking through the practical consequences.

not really an economics issue
but the logic is that the law should be clear
many people will obey the law without involving the police, if its a matter of law rather than (say) simply a request from a bus driver.

anyway its going to the high court for resolution

antrobus

lisyloo wrote: »

...I have sympathy for disabled people, however if bus drivers aren't going to be allowed to you touch anyone (for fear of assault claims) let alone move babies then won't the police have to be called to get someone to move?....

I can see no other alternative.

But I'm not sure what they could do if said parent of baby refused to move. As far as I'm aware it is not an offence to occupy a wheelchair space on a bus with a baby buggy.

kathrynha

I personally think it would be unfair to expect a parent and pushchair to get off the bus for another passenger. With only limited space on buses, they may have already had to wait for multiple buses for there to be space.


Buses are not designed appropriately in my opinion. In making space for wheelchairs and unfolded pushchairs they have removed the space to put folded pushchairs and other luggage.
Added to that the issue of nobody being willing to help with the holding a baby, whilst dealing with shopping and folding a pushchair issue, parents often can not sensibly attempt to fold a pushchair on a bus to make space for a wheelchair user.

lisyloo

The buggy passenger is not being asked to get off the bus.
They are being asked to move the buggy which involves removing the baby (possibly a sleeping one) and fold up the buggy.

Some parents argue that this can be extremely disruptive. I don't think anyone argues with that, but the argument is that the wheelchair users right to travel trumps the disruption caused to the baby and parent.

lisyloo

if its a matter of law rather than (say) simply a request from a bus driver.

I think the law we are talking about here is that the bus company must MAKE the buggy passenger give way.
The case is about the bus comapnys actions.
Of course you could make it illegal for the passenger not to fold up their buggy but I don't think that's what this case is about.

But I'm not sure what they could do if said parent of baby refused to move.

Yes you're right.
That's my point. They can stop the bus but that stops ALL the passengers going anywhere until the next bus.

I was on a train once where 6 girls (looked about 15) claimed they'd lost their purse. They refused to move and we all had to wait for the police to come because the train manager wouldn't physically evict them. I guess they were committing an offence by not having a ticket, but your right someone not folding a buggy is not committing an offence.

Whilst I have the greatest sympathy for the wheelchair passenger I am not quite sure what they are expecting the bus company to do, except refuse to transport everyone.

chucknorris

Disabled passengers and mothers with prams should have the right to trial by combat, the passengers would have to wait, but they would be entertained by watching the fight. The bus company could play piped music, perhaps something like 'amok time' (the fighting music from star trek):
https://seanmunger.com/2013/10/23/stravinsky-in-space-the-classic-fight-music-from-star-trek-audio/

foxtrotoscar_2

Is this the guy (Doug Paulley) who has been to Court 40 times regarding disability issues?

CLAPTON

lisyloo wrote: »

I think the law we are talking about here is that the bus company must MAKE the buggy passenger give way.
The case is about the bus comapnys actions.
Of course you could make it illegal for the passenger not to fold up their buggy but I don't think that's what this case is about.



Yes you're right.
That's my point. They can stop the bus but that stops ALL the passengers going anywhere until the next bus.

I was on a train once where 6 girls (looked about 15) claimed they'd lost their purse. They refused to move and we all had to wait for the police to come because the train manager wouldn't physically evict them. I guess they were committing an offence by not having a ticket, but your right someone not folding a buggy is not committing an offence.

Whilst I have the greatest sympathy for the wheelchair passenger I am not quite sure what they are expecting the bus company to do, except refuse to transport everyone.

one assumes that the law will FORCE bus company to make removing a buggy (when requested) part of their condition of transport, possibly with a penalty for non-compliance.
One would think the vast majority would comply rather than wait for the police to be called.