Our buggies are not a nuisance on the buses!
Parents in Gloucester have spoken out against a government campaign to target pushchair users on buses in a ploy to improve the experience for other passengers.
The Department for Transport has identified mums with buggies as a source of trouble because they use spaces reserved for wheelchairs.
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Bus companies could now face a fine unless wheelchair slots are kept clear.
But parents in Gloucester have argued the move means there will be no space for them to go.
Dad Mike Stenning, 30, from Linden, said he and his wife used public transport a lot and neither of them drove.
He said: “It takes about 25-35 minutes to walk from our house to town, and we have done it but other times we just want to jump on the bus.
“Today, I could see it was packed with people so waved the bus driver on but he stopped anyway.
“I could only get in as far as the gangway as people were stood where the wheelchair and pushchair space was. It’s discrimination if this means parents are stopped from using buses.
“I’ve never been on a bus when someone with a wheelchair has come on. Maybe they should have more spaces with flip seats so people can sit there, or stand there and there’s room for wheelchairs or pushchairs.”
Unfair
Amanda Burns, 25, from Matson, said buses frequently did not stop to allow her and her 18-month-old son Oliver on. She said: “If buggies are placed properly there is space for two to three without them blocking the gangway, but sometimes if there are only two pushchairs they won’t stop.
“Buggies are meant to fold up when wheelchairs come on the bus, so I would do that, but why can’t I take up a space if there is no wheelchair around?”
Sue MacDonald, 50, said she sometimes brings her grandson Casey, three, into Gloucester from where she lives in Dursley.
She said: “If I couldn’t get on the bus then we’d have to take a taxi, which isn’t fair.”
Stagecoach declined to comment.
Also included in the Government’s proposed changes was a crackdown on drinking and smoking on buses, and bus drivers who accelerate away from stops without ensuring older passengers have first sat down.
Transport minister Sadiq Khan said: “Two thirds of all public transport journeys are by bus and passengers deserve to have a better travelling experience.”
55 Comments
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by Shaz, Cheltenham
Thursday, March 18 2010, 10:20PM
“@ KAREN I SUGGEST U ZIP IT LUV CAUSE UNTILL U HAVE KIDS U WONT UNDERSTAND!!!
by GLOS.
I suggest that you zip it instead because until you become blind or disabled you won't understand!!!!!!”
by Flora, London
Thursday, March 18 2010, 9:17PM
“I travel everyday on buses in London and I have frequently seen wheelchair users left at bus stops because people with pushchairs refuse to fold them if asked so that a disabled person can access the WHEELCHAIR SPACE.
It was designed for wheelchairs not baby buggies.
I trave with someone who is blind and has a guide dog. People with massive 4x4 pushchairs do not give a damn about this hard working, gently dog. They just push their buggies at his paws to make him move out of their way and he has become very nervous on buses because of their selfish and callous behaviour.”
by Gemma France, Tewkesbury
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 12:54PM
“IF UR A PRIORS PARK CHAV SINGLE UNEMPLOYED MOM LIKE ME WE SHOULD ALL HAVE PRIORTY ON THE BUSES”
by Fair Point, Not on A Bus
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 12:51PM
“Just realised my error, I meant EXCEPT”
by Fair Point, Not On A Bus
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 12:48PM
“How about we just ban pushchairs from the bus between 9:30 and 5:00
There's would then be enough room on the bus for everybody as these are "dull" times, people won't give impatient looks as they're not trying to get to and from work, and thirdly the poor people like me won't have to listen to your baby screaming after 9 days at work.
JOB DONE:D”
by captain catt, gloucester
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 10:44AM
“There is clearly a demand for busses that can accommodate buggies without all this hassle. And, providing people are willing to pay for a service, why should they be denied it? The solution therefore is to charge for buggies and to remove a couple of rows of seats to accommodate them.”
by Back Seat Chav, LaLaLand
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 3:02AM
“While were at it an we have 4 extra back rows of seats on the bus for us chavs. The law states that anyone regardless of age should move from the back seat if a chav boards the bus. Ideally should be trialed on route 14 (you know who we are)”
by ben, Cheltenham
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 2:25AM
“Fair play I think this is spot on Ban buggies from the bus 100% Then use your car and give the idiots something else to moan about the amount of cars on the road, Who decides this law have they kids? its hard enough for parents to cope getting around with out this. Great move support local transport!!!!!!”
by Richard, Canada
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 11:50PM
“Colonel Willowby-Gore, you make me laugh from halfway round the world. I hope you are using your talent to make a bit of money writing.
By the way, you're not that bounder who stole the RSPCA collection jar from the officers mess are you?
Rum sort of do that was.”
by MOANERS, GLOS
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 9:17PM
“Dont know why people are arguing... its a no win sitaution. The buggy brigade will shout discrimation, then the disabled will shout discrimantion, and then none of the aboce will shout discrimnation.
If the buses were made big enough for everyone- fat people, smelly people, weird people, push chairs etc etc then it wouldnt be a problem... until the point you realise that the bus tickets have gone up to cover the costs of improving these services.... and then you moan about that.
And for those who say that dont go to family restaurants if you dont want noise- restaurants have been forced to make it 'family friendly' to stop discrimnation- you miss the point.... yes children make noise... but there is a manner in which to do so--- screaming becasue they arent allowed choco pudding, runnig up and down knocking into me whilst I ameating IS NOT THE WAY. Get control of your children and we will all be happy”