General News
Woman denied bus travel
An electric wheelchair user was ignored by her local bus driver as passengers bullied her and wouldn't allow her to get on a bus.
Mrs Christine Knight from Sutton planned to take the 407 to Carshalton on Monday but claims that the other passengers shouted abuse at her when she tried to get on, telling her there was "no space"
"There were already two pushchairs on the bus and they tried to block off the entrance and exit so I couldn't get on. People were yelling at me, saying wheelchairs shouldn't be allowed on, and the driver just pretended he couldn't hear,"said Mrs Knight.
This follows the case of Ms Elaine Powell in North Wales who was told by a bus driver that she wasn't allowed on the bus because the battery in her electric wheelchair might 'blow up'.
Mrs Knight was one of the wheelchair users to test Transport for London's new buses pilot scheme and was told while on the programme that if drivers do not accommodate wheelchair passengers, they must be reported to TfL.
A spokesman for the Disabled Persons' Transport Advisory Committee said: "The training and support provided to drivers is key, as it is their duty to ask passengers occupying the wheelchair space to move where possible if a wheelchair user needs to use it and to provide assistance to wheelchair users wishing to board."
A Transport for London spokesman said: "Wheelchair users do have priority in the allocated space as that is the only place in which they can travel. If the space is occupied when a wheelchair user wishes to board, the driver should ask the other passengers to move or to fold their buggy, but if they refuse the driver cannot force them to move or to leave the bus.
"We expect bus drivers to be courteous, polite and helpful at all times and we encourage passengers to contact us on 0845 300 7000 if they have any feedback - good or bad."
Additional Information
Country: United Kingdom of Great Britain
Website: http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/latest-news2/woman-denied-bus-travel
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When: 27/2/2009
