Wheelchair bus case

Generali

CLAPTON wrote: »

it would seem they are trying

trying is a good start.

Kim_kim

SingleSue wrote: »

Wheelchair user hat on - I would hate hate hate to put someone in that position! I prefer the hiding and being like everyone else thing despite the chair and putting someone to inconvenience just to suit me is just eeekkk and wrong.

But your not being like everyone else if you're denied to access the bus.

Equal opportunities isn't about treating everyone the same it's about making adjustments so everyone is equal.

If the person in the chair isn't able to access the bus for no good reason (& a foldable buggy isn't a good reason) then it's discrimination.

DomRavioli

This is the reason I won't use the bus anymore. I'm unable to drive due to disability (not in a wheelchair but still disabled) and the amount of abuse I get because I have to sit near the front off people, usually because I'm 30, off OAPs and mothers with prams is horrendous. I've been physically threatened with violence in the past if I refused to move (I only have 40% sight, so I really do need to see where I'm going). It got to the point where I was so unconfident (as the driver can't do anything) that I no longer have a social life. There is a massive knock on impact here.

If some scummy mummy wouldn't fold their pram because a wheelchair needed the space (believe me, being disabled isn't a choice, but motherhood on the whole is) I would have a word. A child sleeping is not a reason.

SingleSue

Kim_kim wrote: »

But your not being like everyone else if you're denied to access the bus.

Equal opportunities isn't about treating everyone the same it's about making adjustments so everyone is equal.

If the person in the chair isn't able to access the bus for no good reason (& a foldable buggy isn't a good reason) then it's discrimination.

Adjustments yes, being made a special case no.

I am already very aware that I am different and I don't need a bus of disgruntled passengers because they have been delayed, nor do I want to cause inconvenience to others to make that even more evident.

I think a previous suggestion of having more spaces made available for both is probably the way forward on the busier routes.

Re the underground, some of it is ok with easy step free access, some of it is a bloody nightmare with escalators, steps and no lifts. For some routes we find it easier just to get an Uber cab between stations despite having a run through ticket. As an example, Liverpool Street is ok for one direction but to go between Liverpool Street over to Baker Street and then Marylebone or Liverpool Street over to Euston station involves going over a platform (or several) with no step free access. The few times we have attempted it before giving up and using Uber, the other users have been brilliant and have helped to carry the chair up and down stairs and escalators while my son has helped me.

As another example, Stratford through to the O2 on the Jubilee line is brilliant, no steps, great lifts and no hassle....and never a problem getting a wheelchair bay on the tube.

So not perfect but better than some think.

lisyloo

CLAPTON wrote: »

I have to say that, my unstructured view is that nearly all London buses have some space for a wheelchair.

Interested to know what other people using London buses think

I use London buses frequently and the routemasters have space for a wheelchair or 2 buggys. The single decker a have more space.

lisyloo

Generali wrote: »

I was broadening things out to London public transport in general. The tube must be basically impassable and the overground not much better.

Stations with stairs only are impassable.
Rush hour would be a nightmare, but during off-peak times with lifts it should be perfectly usable.

Mojisola

lisyloo wrote: »

Stations with stairs only are impassable.
Rush hour would be a nightmare, but during off-peak times with lifts it should be perfectly usable.

It's some years now since I took someone with reduced mobility through a couple of London stations. We'd checked in advance that there were lifts we could use - what they didn't tell us was the distance we would have to walk to get to the lifts and then back to the platforms!

There's often an assumption that a person is either in a wheelchair (and so can be pushed longish distances) or that they are fit enough to walk.

The person I was helping said afterwards it would have been easier to attempt the stairs and take things slowly than have to walk the long distances to the lifts.

lisyloo

Yes, there can be long distances to walk at tube stations and it can be even longer if you need to go out of your way to use lifts.
I agree with you and I'm not sure how you would know this in advance.
We went to use the lifts one night (luggage I think) at Euston I think and we had a similar experience.
I personally wouldn't want to take someone with a disability unless I'd checked out the route first becuase I know how difficult it could be.

SingleSue

We treat it as a voyage of discovery, if we try it the once and the discovery is not so nice then we know for the next time to get an Uber.

I made the mistake once thinking I could do the trip to the O2 without the chair as it would be mostly sitting on a train with minimal walking not thinking about the distances to the lifts or different platforms or between the station and the O2 itself (it was described as a very short walk on the phone - for the abled bodied it may be but for the mobility impaired, it was like a blooming marathon!)....I didn't make that mistake a second time.

ToasterScheme

lisyloo wrote: »

Yes, there can be long distances to walk at tube stations and it can be even longer if you need to go out of your way to use lifts.
I agree with you and I'm not sure how you would know this in advance.
We went to use the lifts one night (luggage I think) at Euston I think and we had a similar experience.
I personally wouldn't want to take someone with a disability unless I'd checked out the route first becuase I know how difficult it could be.

I second this.
We do the Jubilee line all the way from Stanmore to the O2. The new stations on the Jubilee extensions are not usually so bad but I'm sure we walked the entire length of Westminster station 2 or 3 times to get out one time. It can be worse late at night when not all the entrances are in use.
Definitely plan the route in advance, or allow extra hours. And, unless impossible, don't rule out the 'help from burly blokes' option where it's a choice between one or two flights of steps and (another) ten minute detour.