TfL wheelchair space rules still aren't enforced

Another day, and another video of a disabled person unable to access public transport in London has gone viral. Transport for London (TfL) has said more needs to be done. They want to make sure that both drivers and customers understand the rules for wheelchair spaces on buses. But is this really happening?

TfL drivers giving wrong information to disabled passengers

This comes after yet another video of a parent trying to board a TfL bus with his disabled child has made it to the media. The BBC reported that Chris, a father who was taking his disabled son to a hospital appointment, was denied access to the bus. The reason for this is that buggies were occupying the space. However, the driver refused to make them move.

In fact, the driver can be seen wrongly telling Chris:

The wheelchair has priority, but that’s if the space is empty

This is obviously not true. In fact, the sign on the bus says that buggy users may be asked to fold or move if a wheelchair user requires the space.

Against the law to refuse disabled passengers

The Equality Act 2010 says that legally bus operators must make “reasonable adjustments” for disabled passengers. These include working ramps, correct information, priority spaces and seating. By law, wheelchair users have a right to that space. However, lack of awareness from drivers means that the law isn’t enforced.

Because disabled passengers are entitled to priority spaces, drivers are required to ask non-disabled passengers to move. But far too often, this either doesn’t happen or they refuse.

TfL told the BBC that the events in the video fell “way below” their expected standard

As soon as we became aware of this incident, we followed up with Transport UK, the bus operator, who investigated as a matter of urgency, speaking to the bus driver and reissuing guidance to all its drivers.

Rebecca Trew, TfL’s head of bus delivery, told the BBC that the organisation is committed to providing training to the over 25,000 bus drivers in London. She says the training is to ensure they’re “aware of their legal obligations”.

The training, Trew said, will include lived experience from disabled passengers who’ve struggled to use London buses. She also said that TfL’s bus driver handbook is also being updated and will be released later in the year. This, Trew said, will be “another opportunity to reinforce the correct procedures and guidance drivers are expected to follow”.

This is nothing new on TfL – or anywhere

The thing is, videos of parents fighting to get their disabled kiddies on buses go viral every few months. As always happens, the non-disabled people get outraged and then nothing changes. But what about the disabled adults who also face this every single day?

Not only do the transport companies need to enforce their rules better, but they also need to stop pitting parents against disabled people. There should be space for both buggies and wheelchairs on buses. The government are constantly boasting about investment in travel. Yet, where’s the commitment to accessible travel?

Nothing will change as long as the war on disabled people rages on

One thing that disabled people experience far too often, alongside drivers refusing to enforce the rules, is nondisabled people’s selfishness. The unwillingness of non-disabled people to help or, even worse, abuse disabled people is another result of the disgusting ableist rhetoric in the media.

Thanks to years of the rags and politicians acting like we want special treatment, the general public resents us wanting equal rights to them.

Nothing is going to change in society for disabled people until the press and government stop pitting working-class people against disabled people.

Featured image via the Canary