Virgin Trains

mspig

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shoey79

They are pathetic, you had shown them all the documentation and yet they denied the right to use that space.


At the time of this happening, was there anyone in more need of that space?

Because if the answer is no, then they are just right jobsworth!

Stardust

What a nasty bloke, poor you




))))))))Virtual Hugs((((((((

dmg24

I really would look at taking this further.

The relevant statute states that trains have to have wheelchair spaces. However, I am certain that any judge would interpret this to mean 'wheelchair or equivalent', which in your son's case is a wheelchair. I doubt very much that they would expect someone in a wheelchair to get out of the chair and fold it up.

This has really made me mad. The ignorance of some people never ceases to amaze me.

Optimist

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, train staff must make 'reasonable adjustments' to accommodate disabled passengers. On the face of it, it would seem in your sons case this did not happen.

As you have been onto Virgin trains and they consider your treatment was justified I would suggest a call to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (the Disability Rights Commission have amalgamated into this) 0845 604 6610 is the number to call for their help line

Fleago

I'm with dmg and Optimist; this needs to be taken further. A phone call to the EHRC as Optomist suggests is a very good idea. Absolutely shameful behaviour on the part of Virgin trains. :mad:

chuckley

thats disgusting, espesh as your childs medication is attached to the buggy.

defo complain further. send a letter... way more effective. SD aswell and attach your tickets to prove you were on said train.

Lavendyr

Just to echo what others have said, what awful behaviour from Virgin. Please take this further as they should not be allowed to get away with this.

MarkyMarkD

I agree with the others. A "wheelchair" isn't something defined in statute - I presume - so it is whatever the disabled person (or their carer) chooses to use to transport them around. In other words, for a disabled child, there's no reason why a buggy shouldn't be a suitable wheelchair.

The only extent to which I think Virgin have a point is that they are providing a space for a disabled, fare-paying, passenger; your son was a disabled, non-fare-paying, passenger and their policy is that non-fare-paying children are not entitled to a seat.

I'm not agreeing they should have turfed you off - obviously they shouldn't - but accepting that there's a bit of legal merit in them favouring fare-paying disabled passengers over non-fare-paying ones. But unless another disabled person came along, and needed the space, they are just being jobsworth.

The e-mail reply implies that they didn't read the circumstances properly.

Incidentally, we have had arguments with bus drivers over a similar issue for our able-bodied daughter, being required to fold down a buggy because the space had to be left for a potential (but non-existent) disabled passenger in a wheelchair. That's similarly jobsworth and unnecessary.

Diane65

Hi
So sorry to hear of your incident on the train. I have e mailed Virgin to ask if they allow disabled children on their trains which in effect they don't.
Brilliant point made by MarkyMarkD about fare paying passengers as disabled OAP's who get free travel will be in the same unfortunate situation.
I'll let you know of Virgin's response.

custardy

hmmm when we used the train the guard was more than happy for us to plonk the pram in the disabled space.even helped fold up the seats
however iirc correctly ive never taken him on a virgin train