General Chat

I read something in the local paper today that I didn't know. This was by a spokesperson from Stagecoach buses, I assume it could apply to other companies too.

To take a mobility scooter on a bus you need a permit.

With Stagecoach, if you are a new user of a scooter and get in touch with them, they will come out to see you, and bring a bus to your normal stop to let you learn how to get on and off the bus safely, they also then I think organise the permit.

I've seen lots on our Busses :-D :-D

Hopefully if your buses require them they will all have permits.

Hopefully not the ones the size of a car!
The buses are packed enough as it is so some of the large "scooters" could cause real problems

The only time Fred ever had a problem with the wheelchair was when he encountered a driver who was an armhole.

Sometimes the bus stop was not at a suitable height for the wheelchair. If they were in town they would go to a different one but the buses do carry a ramp.

Our buses are all "kneeling" buses with a fold out ramp ............ there's only a problem if they have to use one of the older standby ones on.

Each bus has room for 2 mobility scooters or wheelchairs, or alternatively 3 strollers can be fitted into the space (as long as the mothers are careful how they park their strollers).

The kneeling makes it very easy for anyone with a disability (but able to walk) to get on, and the strollers don't usually need to have the ramp put out.

Thank heavens we don't usually have those huge Silver Cross-type prams that are, or were, so common in the UK ............ they just wouldn't fit on.

I have never seen a mobility scooter on any bus I use though all the buses have ramps and space for one wheelchair and one pushchair. They will allow two pushchairs unfolded on the bus with the understanding that if someone in a wheelchair chair wants on the bus the pushchair in the wheelchair space either has to be folded or they can get off the bus and collect a ticket from the driver which will allow them to carry on their journey on another bus without having to pay again.

Joan

Up until about 30 years ago, our buses had 4 or 5 steps up, with a vertical post in the centre at the doors (2 bifold).

The last of those Brill buses were finally taken off the streets in the mid-1980s.

We used an umbroller for our child from when she was about 6 months old .............. I could fold that, sling the handles over my arm and carry her and the umbroller past the pole and up the steps.

Then the umbroller took no space in the sitting area.

Before that, we either went by car, or I had to carry her in my arms, no slings or any such back in the 1970s.


We had 2 umbrollers during our child's time of need ................ the first we bought here that fell apart in England about 1 year later because we used / abused to so much.

The second we bought from Mothercraft, and used for the next 12 months or so. Its use was mainly in Australia .............. it went up many a hill, to the top of viewpoints, but was a little sturdier than the first one. We passed it on to someone else on our return to Canada.