Mobility scooter lessons :-)

[Old Cruser]

Yep, that's the one!! 

Thought so, drag of the fag - suck in some oxygen - another drag on the fag --------

[simondjuk]

Old bloke in Tesco earlier, to be fair he was careful and considerate to other shoppers but his scooter was bloody huge. I swear it was 4 wheel drive it was that big

[Old Cruser]

Some are huge and I really don't know why they are made so large - or why anyone would want them either, unless of course the person is very large and needs the width.

[Scimitar]

Some are going to be allowed on buses soon. The ones without headlights, wing mirrors etc. got to conform to a specific size AND the occupier has to undergo a test to confirm their capability of boarding the bus safely. They will be issued with a specific pass ( permit to travel ) to prove they have successfully completed their training.
I presume that the people who use these buggies have some difficulty walking, but may not, literally be classed as disabled.
So what happens when someone in an electric wheelchair, obviously disabled (e.g. no legs), wants to board the bus as well?
It's Ok asking them to wait for the next bus, but what if its only an hourly service?
I need to check up on Disability Discrimination Act on this one I think........

[Big Dave]

I presume that the people who use these buggies have some difficulty walking, but may not, literally be classed as disabled.
So what happens when someone in an electric wheelchair, obviously disabled (e.g. no legs), wants to board the bus as well?
It's Ok asking them to wait for the next bus, but what if its only an hourly service?
I need to check up on Disability Discrimination Act on this one I think........

I take it that by disabled, you mean people with mobility problems? My O/H is disabled but can run faster and further than I can. In any case, the Equalities Act 2010 replaced the DDA and provides for (amongst oher things) legal rights for disabled people in access to land based transport services.

[Old Cruser]

Some are going to be allowed on buses soon. The ones without headlights, wing mirrors etc. got to conform to a specific size AND the occupier has to undergo a test to confirm their capability of boarding the bus safely. They will be issued with a specific pass ( permit to travel ) to prove they have successfully completed their training.
I presume that the people who use these buggies have some difficulty walking, but may not, literally be classed as disabled.
So what happens when someone in an electric wheelchair, obviously disabled (e.g. no legs), wants to board the bus as well?
It's Ok asking them to wait for the next bus, but what if its only an hourly service?

I need to check up on Disability Discrimination Act on this one I think........

The DDA will probably say that 'where ever there is reasonable access/adjustments is fine' I can't think that just being one bus per hour an un- reasonable thing, but I do think that bus companies need to look into being able to maybe have two wheelchair spaces on buses in the future if they have not already got some. Design is another problem as I believe there are some buses (maybe the older ones?) which have a metal pole in the accessible space area, larger wheelchairs/scooters would have a problem with this - now 'this may' be a case for the DDA.

[Scimitar]

I know we are supplying some of the more modern fleet (from Stagecoach Chesterfield, and presumeably other depots) for the olympics, and then for the paralympics too.
The internal bits on buses are easily adjusted (more so than years ago), and for the paralympics I understand several further rows of seats will be removed temporarily for further wheelchair access.
It'll be interesting to see what we will be trundling around in, in Chesterfield whilst these buses are away.
It depends on how many buses are going down there, and I confess I don't know the answer to that one.
There are Council owned community based buses as well which bring folks into town - specially adapted I presume. I wonder if people with mobility issues take full advantage of these services?
Again I don't know if its used to full capacity.

[Fly]

The StageCoach bus, (No1), we got from Chapel to Eastgate Market last weekend had folding seats and space for 2 wheelchairs.
Plus signs. 'Please give up this seat for a wheelchair user.'

TBH, surely there's only so much Stagecoach can do to be DDA friendly.
Yes, I'm actually sticking up for Stagecoach 

[Big Dave]

I think you're creating a problem out of nothing.

[Old Cruser]

Any transport company, shop, offices etc can only do so much can't they and public transport has be gradual I would think because of the costs. Now if we are talking aircraft toilets ---- time they got their act together.
Bit of a cheek though if our accessible buses go to London leaving a skeleton service here (if that is the case)
Maybe Community Transport is helping out then - but same applies to them doesn't it.

[Scimitar]

I still think that the buses we will be using whilst the Olympics are on will be disability compliant. Its just the replacement buses for the ones going to london are probably just older, and kept off the scrap heap for a few more months. In fact theres a couple of Volvo's in Chezzie depot already which I understand are quite nice to drive, and got some oomph, which may be on Matlock to Sheffield route..allegedly.
Don't quote me cos I don't know for sure.
I don't think any disabled person will suffer as a result of some newer buses going to London for the Olympics.
In actual fact, if I remember rightly, Chesterfield (Stagecoach) depot was one of the first in the country to have a full displacement of disability compliant buses.
One up for the peoples of Chesterfield, which I don't think was openly promoted at the time, but just happened, quietly, without fuss.

[Old Cruser]

At least that's good news --- we will have to wait and see.