Wheelchair Passengers’ Bus Struggle

Campaigners from Disability Action, in Redditch, Worcestershire, are unhappy with issues faced by wheelchair users using buses – particularly when ‘accessible spaces’ are taken up by parents with pushchairs.

Former mayor Anita Clayton and Redditch MP, Karen Lumley, took a local bus trip with two local wheelchair users to witness first hand the challenges those with mobility issues face when using public transport.

The observation trip formed part of work for the Transport Select Committee, of which Mrs Lumley is currently a member. The Committee is providing a focus on the legislation around access to public transport for disabled people.

Mrs Lumley is keen to get bus company bosses to meet with Disability Action to discuss the issues with wheelchair accessible vehicles, as she believes the problem isn’t going to disappear.

Lack of Space

Anita Clayton, of Disability Action Redditch, commented that the biggest problem for wheelchair users when using local bus services was the lack of space. The space reserved for those with wheelchairs was occupied by parents with pushchairs.

Mrs Clayton explained: “There were at least four great big buggies that were blocking the way; it was like a free-for-all with pushchairs.

“I don’t know when it changed but in my day you had to fold them up before you got on.

“If someone had been in a wheelchair then there is no way they would have got on because there was no space. It’s okay having low access buses but when people get on, if there’s nowhere for them to go, what’s the point?”

More Disabled Friendly Buses Needed

The problem of available space has been raised repeatedly during the Committee’s work. Bob Crow, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), warned that the problem will not get any better as cuts to bus subsidies will lead to more passengers with pushchairs squeezing onto fewer buses.

He said: “It’s up to the bus companies to put more buses on and more disabled friendly buses.”

Siobhan Endean, national officer for equalities at Unite the Union, believes that reintroducing bus conductors would help with the issue but that public awareness is also extremely important.

She commented: “All most people are concerned about is the fact their bus is going to be late and all the people with buggies are concerned about is they have waited until 10.30am to avoid the rush hour and they then can’t get on. At that point the bus driver and the wheelchair user become the focus of a debate which people don’t understand. It’s legislation and regulation that requires to be put in place.”