I understand I will be featuring in a piece in the local paper, tomorrow (Friday 27th).

It's about some access problems I had with a bus route.

My local bus service is an easy-access designated "wheelchair friendly" route.

However on Monday, there was not one bus on that route which had ramp access on it.

I was left stranded for an hour, trying to catch a bus, to get home.

So, after being left, and, having the original bus that had left me standing (OK, sitting!) at the bus stop, about to come past me again, I was getting very annoyed.

When the bus arrived, I sat on the bus's step, when it pulled in, slippping off my chariot.

I said, to the driver, "I am staging a protest. I have been waiting for an hour!!!!! I want you to get onto the radio, and get the garage to send out an accessible bus. I am not moving till the garage send out an access bus!"

I hijacked the bus!

the driver said to me "But... but.... I want to get home!"

I said "funny you should say that! All *I* want, is to be able to get home, too, on an access bus, on this designated accessible route, and I can't, because there isn't an accessible bus running on it today!"

I sat there, even whilst the driver decanted the bus passengers onto the bus behind, which was the original bus that had come past me back when I had arived at the stop, an hour previously.

I was nervous, cos I thought that I'd be arrested, or something. I was so fed up, by this time, that I was prepared to do almost anything!

After some wrangling, and discussion, eventually, the bus company sent an access bus out from the garage, to take over the route, and get me home.

The bus company agreed that something must have gone drastically wrong, with the planning of which buses were going to be allocated to the route. They have issued an apology for this error in the piece that is going in the paper.

I finally got home at quarter past seven. Only an hour and forty-five minutes after I had gone to catch the bus. not bad, eh?

PT

Well done PT...I am sorry to hear of yet another instance where disabled access is failing (I read your thread re Lloyds recently)!

Good for you

:clap:

Originally posted by Plain Talker
I understand I will be featuring in a piece in the local paper, tomorrow (Friday 27th).

It's about some access problems I had with a bus route.

My local bus service is an easy-access designated "wheelchair friendly" route.

However on Monday, there was not one bus on that route which had ramp access on it.

I was left stranded for an hour, trying to catch a bus, to get home.

So, after being left, and, having the original bus that had left me standing (OK, sitting!) at the bus stop, about to come past me again, I was getting very annoyed.

When the bus arrived, I sat on the bus's step, when it pulled in, slippping off my chariot.

I said, to the driver, "I am staging a protest. I have been waiting for an hour!!!!! I want you to get onto the radio, and get the garage to send out an accessible bus. I am not moving till the garage send out an access bus!"

I hijacked the bus!

the driver said to me "But... but.... I want to get home!"

I said "funny you should say that! All *I* want, is to be able to get home, too, on an access bus, on this designated accessible route, and I can't, because there isn't an accessible bus running on it today!"

I sat there, even whilst the driver decanted the bus passengers onto the bus behind, which was the original bus that had come past me back when I had arived at the stop, an hour previously.

I was nervous, cos I thought that I'd be arrested, or something. I was so fed up, by this time, that I was prepared to do almost anything!

After some wrangling, and discussion, eventually, the bus company sent an access bus out from the garage, to take over the route, and get me home.

The bus company agreed that something must have gone drastically wrong, with the planning of which buses were going to be allocated to the route. They have issued an apology for this error in the piece that is going in the paper.

I finally got home at quarter past seven. Only an hour and forty-five minutes after I had gone to catch the bus. not bad, eh?

PT
well done pt, glad you stood(sat) your ground and got a result:clap: :clap: :clap:

I remember a couple of years ago a guy in a wheel chair could not get on a bus because the driver refused to get out an lower the ramp. The guy remonstrated with the driver, but he wouldn't budge. I knew they guy was getting off at my stop, so I offered to lower the ramp, both at entry and exit. The driver then said, OK, if you do it its at your own risk or something similar. Anyway i did it and everything went OK. I saw the guy sometime later and he said that he had written to the bus company, reporting the driver, and had received an apology from them.

Good for you PT! What paper will you be featured in? I'd like to read it online.

You're the Rosa Parks of Sheffield!

http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0bio-1

:) Sierra

well done luv :clap:

PT - you ain't nothin' but a trouble maker. People like you need locking up.

Okay - only joking! Good for you girl. I look forward to seeing the article (via a link on here, ofcause). Keep posting PT because I for one respect your comments (and knowledge).

Also, whilst I'm handing out Blue Peter badges, Lord Chavers, I take my hat off to you for your kind heartedness. We could do with more like you (although I'd probably get even less work done)!!

Sheffield Forum: The home of 'the good egg'.

I think it will be The Sheffield Star.

I am presuming it will be in the "Action desk" section. (at least that is what it sounds as if it will be in, from the way the article is written up, complete with responses/ apologies from the bus company)

I don't know if the piece will be available electronically... I don't know what proportion of the Star's articles are put online, I'm afraid.

Problems with access onto the buses is a frequent issue in the transport access committees that I am part of. There has been a big drive by the largest bus operator here, to ensure that all their drivers are trained to operate the kneeling facility, and how to safely deploy the wheelchair ramp.

In the past, drivers would frequently refuse wheelchair -users access onto ramped uses, on the grounds that "they had not recieved ramp-training".

According to management, every driver in their fleet is now trained.

The thing is, it's all very well providing that training, if the access routes are going to be served with accessible buses.

My argument, on Monday was that the person (s) responsibsle for allocating the individual buses to each route, had not allocated any accesssible buses to this particular route. The majority of the vehicles were the dreadful, old Volvo single deckers with the three high steps up onto the vehicle.

Now, if you are allocating vehicles, you *must* know which fleet numbers relate to which vehicles. So, when you allocate the buses onto their respective "boards", you know that bus xyz is an old volvo, and not accessible, or that bus abc is a newer, ramped bus. You also know which routes have been designated as accessible routes. So you allocate the acessible bus onto the designated route, surely...? it's not rocket science.

I could accept one, or maybe two inaccessible buses having to oserv the route, if there were unforseen circumstances, such as an access bus being involved in an accident, or breaking down. Of course... "needs must" and all that.

Obviously, the company has to send out, in those circumstances, whichever vehicle they have free. But for *every single one* of the buses on that route to be inaccessible was just so poor!

I felt sorry for the driver, whose bus I held up, because it wasn't his fault that he was crewing that particular bus.

I did not think that it was a "big ask" for there to be accessible vehicles on a route that is specifically designated as accessible .

I was at the end of my tether, because each time the next bus arrived, the driver had said to me "Sorry, luv- the next one's an access bus! You'll get on that!"

When the buses turned up, and they were all non-accessible, it was so frustrating.

I did not want to have to make the trek, all the way up the hill from Abbeydale Road, through Nether Edge.

The 22 route goes higher up the hill, through Nether Edge, and getting home from that bus is not such a "pull", as it drops me much nearer to home. (I live up at the top end of Nether Edge, not far from Psalter Lane)

I was thinking, "Oh, boy! My name is going to be mud, with the bus company!"

still, it was a "result" in as much as it has made the bus operator aware that there is a problem, and this means that they can take action to rectify the situation. Hopefully it means that this sort of problem is less likely to occur(? ).

I have to say, "Do not try this one at home, folks! " lol

P "hijacker!" T

Originally posted by Ousetunes
PT - you ain't nothin' but a trouble maker. People like you need locking up.

Okay - only joking! Good for you girl. I look forward to seeing the article (via a link on here, ofcause). Keep posting PT because I for one respect your comments (and knowledge).

Also, whilst I'm handing out Blue Peter badges, Lord Chavers, I take my hat off to you for your kind heartedness. We could do with more like you (although I'd probably get even less work done)!!

Sheffield Forum: The home of 'the good egg'.

Thanks for all your kind words, and support, BTW, folks! :D

My philosophy, ousetunes, is that, if there is an injustice, or some obstacle (like this specific problem over accessible vehicles on a route), then,

If we just roll over , and "play dead" and we do not speak out and bring the "wrongs" to folks' attention , then things will never change.

We HAVE to speak out. We can't just stand idly by, and let it be. if that sounds like "troublemaking", ( ;) ) then, we'll just have to get out the pink gloss, and paint me "trouble!" (lol) ;)

It's not just about me, and throwing my own little "tantrum", wanting my own personal bus service...

There are a lot of elderly people round here, and other people with mobility difficulties (not to mention parents with prams). they are going to be as disadvantaged as me, if the buses are not "as promised". If *I* can access the bus, in my chariot, then just about *anyone* can.

P "concerned bystander? not me!" T

Really proud of you PT! SF's own Erin Brockowich! :D

K x

Originally posted by Plain Talker
I think it will be The Sheffield Star.

I am presuming it will be in the "Action desk" section. (at least that is what it sounds as if it will be in, from the way the article is written up, complete with responses/ apologies from the bus company)

I don't know if the piece will be available electronically... I don't know what proportion of the Star's articles are put online, I'm afraid.

Problems with access onto the buses is a frequent issue in the transport access committees that I am part of. There has been a big drive by the largest bus operator here, to ensure that all their drivers are trained to operate the kneeling facility, and how to safely deploy the wheelchair ramp.

In the past, drivers would frequently refuse wheelchair -users access onto ramped uses, on the grounds that "they had not recieved ramp-training".

According to management, every driver in their fleet is now trained.

The thing is, it's all very well providing that training, if the access routes are going to be served with accessible buses.

My argument, on Monday was that the person (s) responsibsle for allocating the individual buses to each route, had not allocated any accesssible buses to this particular route. The majority of the vehicles were the dreadful, old Volvo single deckers with the three high steps up onto the vehicle.

Now, if you are allocating vehicles, you *must* know which fleet numbers relate to which vehicles. So, when you allocate the buses onto their respective "boards", you know that bus xyz is an old volvo, and not accessible, or that bus abc is a newer, ramped bus. You also know which routes have been designated as accessible routes. So you allocate the acessible bus onto the designated route, surely...? it's not rocket science.

I could accept one, or maybe two inaccessible buses having to oserv the route, if there were unforseen circumstances, such as an access bus being involved in an accident, or breaking down. Of course... "needs must" and all that.

Obviously, the company has to send out, in those circumstances, whichever vehicle they have free. But for *every single one* of the buses on that route to be inaccessible was just so poor!

I felt sorry for the driver, whose bus I held up, because it wasn't his fault that he was crewing that particular bus.

I did not think that it was a "big ask" for there to be accessible vehicles on a route that is specifically designated as accessible .

I was at the end of my tether, because each time the next bus arrived, the driver had said to me "Sorry, luv- the next one's an access bus! You'll get on that!"

When the buses turned up, and they were all non-accessible, it was so frustrating.

I did not want to have to make the trek, all the way up the hill from Abbeydale Road, through Nether Edge.

The 22 route goes higher up the hill, through Nether Edge, and getting home from that bus is not such a "pull", as it drops me much nearer to home. (I live up at the top end of Nether Edge, not far from Psalter Lane)

I was thinking, "Oh, boy! My name is going to be mud, with the bus company!"

still, it was a "result" in as much as it has made the bus operator aware that there is a problem, and this means that they can take action to rectify the situation. Hopefully it means that this sort of problem is less likely to occur(? ).

I have to say, "Do not try this one at home, folks! " lol

P "hijacker!" T

Just goes to prove that the latest gimmick by this bus company by introducing inspectors on the streets part of whose purpose is to be around and sort out this type of problem from happening.
is not working.

Great stuff PT!! You were a real stalwart there .... heart in mouth stuff and all that ... :cool:

We heard it first at Trippet's. folks! if you'd been at the meet, you'd have had the story ahead of the news ....:D

ruby x

ps quizzical hat on this morning - when people *quote* the entire op, especially when it's a loooong one like this, then just add a couple of lines at the end? Isn't it a waste of valuable space?

Excellent stuff PT! :D:D :lol:

If I was there I would have hijacked the bus with you!

Brilliant! :clap:

PT starts a revolution! ;)

Good on thee lass.Just goes to show that some companies just dont give a **** about people who unfortuately cannot get about without help.:mad:

:clap: Good for you PT!!!! :clap:

Originally posted by Plain Talker
I finally got home at quarter past seven. Only an hour and forty-five minutes after I had gone to catch the bus. not bad, eh?

PT So pretty much like the rest of us everyday after work ?

Go girl! Most of us Brits wouldn't say boo to a goose. Many people avoid the disability issue as people are still sadly ignorant (or terrified) of it. I imagine the bus driver fell into this category. I wish I'd seen his face! Did he sympathise with you and was he helpful or was he argumentative and condesending? Or was he terrified?

I fully sympathise with Plain Talker over this one it must have been very frustrating with bus after bus of the non low floor type turning up on the other hand I hope it doesn't start a chain reaction off over other varieties of complaints.

Originally posted by Captain_Scarlet
So pretty much like the rest of us everyday after work ?

Well, actually, no, Captain Scarlet; because all of the able bodied people who were standing at the bus stop with me, when the original bus had to leave me standing, had all been home for over an hour.....

There was only myself unable to travel...

PT

Excellent .well done ! :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Classic Rock
Go girl! Most of us Brits wouldn't say boo to a goose. Many people avoid the disability issue as people are still sadly ignorant (or terrified) of it. I imagine the bus driver fell into this category. I wish I'd seen his face! Did he sympathise with you and was he helpful or was he argumentative and condesending? Or was he terrified?

He was fairly sympathetic, but naturally a bit perplexed and annoyed, Buffy.

I pointed out to him that my protest was not directed at him, because I know, he has to drive the bus allocated to him on his board....

it was the irony of his comment to me..
he said
"What do I do, now? I want to get home....!"

I thought that was just a pearl of a comment!

There is a funny post script to this story.

The next night on my way back from town, the bus pulled in, (an access bus !! yay!!) and who should the driver be?

Yes, you guessed it; the poor chap who I had hijacked the day before!

his face was a picture, bless him!

I reassured him that he was not going to be the victim of a random hi-jacking that day. He had a bus with a ramp, so he was safe from my wrath and ire!

He commented that it was not as much of an inconvenience to him as it might have been! lol
I *have* noticed, mind you, whenever I have travellled on this particular route, since Tuesday morning, I have found the buses accessible ... strange, that, no.......?

lol

PT

People Power! Good for you PT, well done! :thumbsup:

The article is in the Star - it's on page 19 of the District Edition! They have dedicated half the page to the story - Well done PT! :) :clap:

Oh, boy! what a dreadful photo of me. :(

lol

When the photographer came to take my photo, it was throwing it down!

I was absolutely wet through.

Not a mention of the hi-jack, though! I wonder if that is to stop others from being induced to do the same?

PT

:thumbsup: Good for you PT, hope you never have to go through all this again!

Hmmm, not the best photo of you?!!! :heyhey:

Originally posted by Plain Talker
The bus company agreed that something must have gone drastically wrong, with the planning of which buses were going to be allocated to the route. They have issued an apology for this error in the piece that is going in the paper.

I finally got home at quarter past seven. Only an hour and forty-five minutes after I had gone to catch the bus. not bad, eh?
PT

First's route controllers/inspectors often aren't on the ball in my experience. One night when I was meant to be meeting people in the Classic Rock Bar, I got there about an hour and a half late after waiting at Bradway for an hour with no bus - it turned out no buses had been allocated to the 25A that evening and it had gone unnoticed in the depot. After on the phone they suggest I waited another hour until 9pm when route 53 took over from 25A I gave up and walked to Totley for a 97 bus!

my friend who some will know as been in the papers over the bus comapany b4.

she has trouble gettin on a bus has the driver has not had his/her ramp test to be able to use the ramp safely, her name julie (wont give surname) but she had no luck at all with putting a complaint to sheffield star.

she was in the star again this week has no trains would let her on for sundays match to cardiff (even tho she gave a week notice) as she is in a chair and no places for her.but i got to say affter she was in the star she did get loads of offers to take her and her freinds to the match.

i been with julie loads of times on the buses and find it so mad that even when a pushchair in the wheelchair port that julie not allowd on.yet it for disabled not pushchair and the drivers that not pass the ramp test.why let them drive the bus is beond me.

so pt good luck to you let us know if u get any more out come to this

PT i have a neice who has a disability she has Down Syndrome and i love her to bits :clap: well done don't let the bar stools win.

I've just been out to buy my copy of the Star. You made your point well PT :clap:

Shame First couldn't make up their minds if the problem was down to vandals or a lack of ramps...

I liked the bit where they mentioned that you had received an apology but didn't mention that the guy on the other end of the radio tried to get the bus driver to drive off with you on board but minus your wheel chair.

An apology from him wouldn't have gone amiss!

I have been invited to go on Radio Sheffield about this, on Tuesday morning, on the breakfast show.

(gulp!)

this is becoming a real hornets nest I have stirred up! lol

PT

Well done indeed! Was browsing through the Star at work and noticed you straight away.

Its crap you had to wait so long, notice there was another negative report about First (regarding fares) on another page...

First dont deserve the tender in Sheffield :rant:

Originally posted by Plain Talker
I have been invited to go on Radio Sheffield about this, on Tuesday morning, on the breakfast show.

(gulp!)

this is becoming a real hornets nest I have stirred up! lol

PT

:hihi: Way to go PT! :clap:

Who's becoming a local celb then? ;)

You tell 'em girl :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Plain Talker
I have been invited to go on Radio Sheffield about this, on Tuesday morning, on the breakfast show.

(gulp!)

You'll be fab! Let us know when to tune in :)

the radio station have asked me to arrive at about half past seven in the morning!!!! :S

I doubt that many of us wil be up at that time, let alone tuned in...

I just hope to goodness I don't get Mike-fright!

PT

PT,
Congratulations for your protest an your newly found fame. I have been interviewed by radio sheffield before down the phone, and they upset me by asking me twisted questions which I wasn't prepared for, to make me look like something I was not. Another time a girl journalist came to my house and we had a good laugh and she inteviewed me, and that one went great.

If you can't get down maybe you can ask someone to come to you. I would guard against a telephone interview, because of my past experiences.

I am a bit cross that they have published your age etc.. What's that got to do with the price of fish?

Hi PT

Your remark about the photo made me smile
Brave as a lion when it come to the big things in life and hesitant when it comes to photos.
hazel

Originally posted by Plain Talker
the radio station have asked me to arrive at about half past seven in the morning!!!! :S

I doubt that many of us wil be up at that time, let alone tuned in...

I just hope to goodness I don't get Mike-fright!

PT

PT, I doubt very much whether you will get M-F.

I used to do a lot of radio interviews years ago (both in the studio and by telephone) and almost always live. Its amazing how quickly you forget you are being broadcast, particularly if they is something important you want to say. Best of luck.

it's a long time since i was in a radio studio, Lord Chaverley.

I am getting really nervous.

also, it's incredibly early for me, (I don't tend to do mornings lol)

PT

Well done. My son uses a wheelchair and i think its great what you did.:thumbsup:

Shocking PT, You made other people wait because your selfish.

If I had been on that bus and I had to wait because you wanted to hold your little protest and get your self in the paper then I probably would have rung the bell 3 times.

Well done lass... buses are getting worse. Where I live there are a lot of elderly and disabled people and they rely on the buses to get to a post office as they closed the one here (how helpful they are!!! ).

To get to the closest is a 10/ 15 minute walk up hill which is bloody bad for the pensioners etc ... and now they have stopped 2 of the buses that go up there.

So its about time someone took a stand... well done!!!

:) :) :)

My Neice who has just had a new baby approx 7 weeks old got rollocked by a driver for being on the wrong bus with a pram,I might add not the driver of the bus but a driver who got on to her bus,this arrogant Arsewipe told her off & accused her of not looking at the correct label stuck on the bus prohibiting prams,she had never been on a bus with her new born & did not know of this stupid rule & the driver new nothing of the said ruling.The driver works for the Terrier Bus Company.Whoever he is who sent a young lass home in tears hang your head in shame.

Originally posted by Deadstar
Shocking PT, You made other people wait because your selfish.

If I had been on that bus and I had to wait because you wanted to hold your little protest and get your self in the paper then I probably would have rung the bell 3 times.

I don't think PT wanted to get in the paper - she just wanted to get home. She didn't make other people wait because she's selfish - it was because she has no other way of getting home after her day's work.

You have to remember that she'd waited an hour, and all the buses operating on that route had been round. I understand that the passangers on the bus that was delayed were transferred onto the next vehicle, and I believe the majority supported PT.

I think it's you that's selfish Deadstar - you don't work for First by any chance, do you? :suspect:

Originally posted by Deadstar
Shocking PT, You made other people wait because your selfish.

If I had been on that bus and I had to wait because you wanted to hold your little protest and get your self in the paper then I probably would have rung the bell 3 times.
Ever tried getting on a bus without a ramp try it mate,we are not the new Daleks we cannot float!!

Originally posted by Plain Talker
the radio station have asked me to arrive at about half past seven in the morning!!!! :S

I doubt that many of us wil be up at that time, let alone tuned in...

I just hope to goodness I don't get Mike-fright!

PT

Radio's only the start, they'll be asking you to go on Calendar or Look North next :D

Got to look your best for the cameras..

Originally posted by Plain Talker
I have been invited to go on Radio Sheffield about this, on Tuesday morning, on the breakfast show.

Don't forget to mention the forum and wear your T-shirt!

If you contact a woman's magazine with your story they pay about £200 for tales like this!

Originally posted by Deadstar
Shocking PT, You made other people wait because your selfish.

If I had been on that bus and I had to wait because you wanted to hold your little protest and get your self in the paper then I probably would have rung the bell 3 times.

Magic! here it is! the first critical post ! and have you noticed? ....? you are the ONLY ONE!! a minority of ONE!

well i don't give a monkeys, really... what hardship, exactly, did those passengers on the bus I halted suffer?

I would lay bets (and WIN!) against each and every one of THEM having been stood for a fuffing hour waiting for a bus!! There were buses, running that circuit, every ten minutes, and I could not access one of them!

what exactly, was the hardship, for them, when THEY could decant onto the bus behind?


*FIRSTLY* this, bus, incidentally, was less than 10 minutes behind the bus I halted (And the original bus that had left me standing, almost an hour before, )

*SECONDLY* it was totally, 100% accessible to every one of THEM, whereas, *I* could not board, because there was no wheelchair access.

*THIRDLY*, WTF, pray-tell,, is so DAMNNABLY unreasonable, about someone in a chair wanting to travel, on an ACCESSIBLE bus, on what is a DESIGNATED WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY ROUTE?

The bus company should deliver what is promised...

The people in the offices allocating buses to routes know which buses in the fleet are accessible, and which are not. Therefore it is not unreasonable to expect them to say "ok, bus xyz is a ramped bus. route abc needs a ramped bus, so I should allocate *that* bus to *that* route".

There's no point in allocating a non-ramped bus to a route that requires a bus with a ramp. that's elementary planning.

so, go-on? please, elucidate...? I am just DYING to know,what was unreasonable about what I did? what was so unreasonable about wanting to travel, in my wheelchair on an accessible bus, on an "accessible" route? and, indeed, having those expectations realised?

PT

Originally posted by Plain Talker
.......also, it's incredibly early for me, (I don't tend to do mornings lol)
PT [/B]
Ask 'em to arrange a taxi for you PT. I reckon they can run to that :thumbsup:
(I don't do 7.30 either) :suspect:
Is it with Rony? Good luck!!!!!!!

Get over yourself.....

Originally posted by Plain Talker
Magic! here it is! the first critical post ! and have you noticed? ....? you are the ONLY ONE!! a minority of ONE!

well i don't give a monkeys, really... what hardship, exactly, did those passengers on the bus I halted suffer?

I would lay bets (and WIN!) against each and every one of THEM having been stood for a fuffing hour waiting for a bus!! There were buses, running that circuit, every ten minutes, and I could not access one of them!

what exactly, was the hardship, for them, when THEY could decant onto the bus behind?


*FIRSTLY* this, bus, incidentally, was less than 10 minutes behind the bus I halted (And the original bus that had left me standing, almost an hour before, )

*SECONDLY* it was totally, 100% accessible to every one of THEM, whereas, *I* could not board, because there was no wheelchair access.

*THIRDLY*, WTF, pray-tell,, is so DAMNNABLY unreasonable, about someone in a chair wanting to travel, on an ACCESSIBLE bus, on what is a DESIGNATED WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY ROUTE?

The bus company should deliver what is promised...

The people in the offices allocating buses to routes know which buses in the fleet are accessible, and which are not. Therefore it is not unreasonable to expect them to say "ok, bus xyz is a ramped bus. route abc needs a ramped bus, so I should allocate *that* bus to *that* route".

There's no point in allocating a non-ramped bus to a route that requires a bus with a ramp. that's elementary planning.

so, go-on? please, elucidate...? I am just DYING to know,what was unreasonable about what I did? what was so unreasonable about wanting to travel, in my wheelchair on an accessible bus, on an "accessible" route? and, indeed, having those expectations realised?

PT

Don't you expect critical reponses? Do you think your right all the time? Listen if your not happy with the fine bus services sheffield has to offer then arrange other transport.

First and Yorkshire terrier are great never had any problems and with all the problems they have to put with eg. kids throwing things through windows while the bus is moving and bus drivers getting verbally and physically assulted then it's a wonder to me why they come to work in the first place. I would'nt.

People always complain that the buses are'nt tidy enough or there's no disabled access but then turn around and complain when fares go up.

Maybe it's just me being ignorant but thats the way I see it.

Would you complain if the first 5 busses where full or there was no chair lift to take up to the top floor because you wanted a better view, I thing you would becuase your a complainer.

Ta XXX

* Time-Expired *

While I totaly agree that there should have been a ramped vehicle on that route, the action you took was very very brave and the right thing to do in that situation I can't help but feel sorry for the driver.

I can understand his feelings when he said he wanted to go home, as Im the same. I do my work and then want to go.

I'm lucky to have a nice family and a nice cosy little house and I want to spend as much time as possible there rather than been stuck at work, and definitly not stuck at work because of some one else's fault.

I was told by a customer about the time when she told another engineer from our company that she was going to lock the doors and not let him leave untill the fault was repaired. (A repair that he had to charge for and she wasn't going to pay)

She had read about some woman doing the same thing in the paper a few years before and thought this would help her. She was very proud of the fact she had bullied a young lad in to carrying out some work that she wasn't entitled to.

I said its a good job that is wasn't me who came out and looking shocked that someone wasn't going along with her, she asked why. I told her that I would have kicked the door through and reminded her that it would have been false imprisonment which took her back a bit.

I failed to see what right she had to lock one of our engineers up and deprive him of his freedom for an hour or so just because she could get her own way.

I think this coloured my thoughts when thinking about the bus driver.

Are First Bus going to be represented at this interview to give their side of the story or are they going to keep their heads well below the parapet so to speak this incident could, with luck become a national news story.

Deadstar, I think you've missed the point completely....it had nothing to do with staff not turning up for work for whatever reason, but that the route is advertised as a wheelchair-accessible route, and therefore there should be wheelchair-accessible buses running on it. If I had been in PT's position, I may have done something very similar.

HJ, I partly agree with your sentiments about the driver, after all it's not his fault that the route co-ordinators had not supplied wheelchair-accessible buses on that route, but, if you were in a position where you couldn't get on to a bus for whatever reason, and the same thing applied to every bus on that route, which meant you didn't have a hope of getting to your destination, wouldn't you have done something about it. The only option PT seemed to have was the sit-down protest. If the driver of the first bus had used his noddle, he could have radioed the depot to make sure that there were wheelchair-accessible buses running. It's a shame in a way that it wasn't that bus PT had stopped the second time around....I think there would have been a little more justice in that!

The other passengers were inconvenienced by 10 minutes, and were able to get on the bus behind....wow, what hardship?!!!

With that sort of attitude, Deadstar's got to be a pensioner!!

Originally posted by Deadstar
Don't you expect critical reponses? Do you think your right all the time? Listen if your not happy with the fine bus services sheffield has to offer then arrange other transport.

First and Yorkshire terrier are great never had any problems and with all the problems they have to put with eg. kids throwing things through windows while the bus is moving and bus drivers getting verbally and physically assulted then it's a wonder to me why they come to work in the first place. I would'nt.

People always complain that the buses are'nt tidy enough or there's no disabled access but then turn around and complain when fares go up.

Maybe it's just me being ignorant but thats the way I see it.

Would you complain if the first 5 busses where full or there was no chair lift to take up to the top floor because you wanted a better view, I thing you would becuase your a complainer.

Ta XXX


Oooh! she squeals, joyfully! handbags! at fifty paces!

First and Yorkshire terrier are great never had any problems

obviously, you have never tried to travel when "hampered", by being in a wheelchair or otherwise mobility impaired.

Until that time, i don't feel you are qualified to spout your negativity and hostility, about the difficulties I and other people who have disabilities encounter when trying to travel.

Whilst, on the whole, First provide a decent-ish, and regular service on most routes, the issue of there being no access buses at all on a specifically accessible route, is a biggie for people like myself.

if it's an easy access route, it is not unreasonable to expect to find , covering that route, at least ONE, (imo) probably more ascessible vehicles. the bus company should deliver what they promise.

Would you complain if the first 5 busses where full or there was no chair lift to take up to the top floor because you wanted a better view, I thing you would becuase your a complainer. (sic)

duh... the issue was not that that buses " were " full, or empty. The issue was that the route planners had not put a single access bus on the route, which left me stranded.

Who gives a flying frick about whether the wheelchair space is upstairs, fricking downsatairs, or in my lady's flamin' chamber? the issue was that I could not physically access the buses, and travel. You are just talking through your hat, there. Neither do I give a flying frick about "wanting a view" all i wanted was to be able to get on a promised, accessible bus, and stuff the "scenic route"! the simple, direct route would have done for me, not an unreaspnable expectation, really.

I am not heartless, I did feel somewhat sorry for the driver, as, yes, of course, he has to drive whichever vehicle is allocated to him.

However!!!!! *HE* had the means to contact the bus depot, and get the problem sorted. (his radio) something the other drivers could have done? maybe....

During that hour when I was sat there, waiting, each driver that arrived in the inaccessible buses had asssured me that "the one behind is an access bus, luv!"
So, there I would sit, for another ten minutes, waiting, only to find that, on the bus's arrival at the stop, it was not an access bus. trust me, it was three streets past exasperating.

The reason I picked on the bus I did, was because I knew that this was the last bus on the circuit, before the original bus arrived back at the stop, the one which left me standing there waiting the hour previously, and that, therefore there was no chance at all of me being able to travel on this supposedly accessible route, and get home.

what else could/ should I have done? Just sat there, patiently, overnight, till the next day, to strat the cycle all over again, just in case the bus company had decided to honoutr it's obligations, and put an access bus on the route, *then*? and , if there was no access bus the *next* day, still sit there waiting?

Get real, FFS!

and, anyway, if what's promised ISN'T delivered, why the hell SHOULDN'T I complain?

let's have a little analogy, here;

If you go into Starbucks, and order a Skinny-decaff latte, and the waitress brings you an orange juice, would you not complain?

and, when you raise the complaint, would you expect the person sitting on the next table to turn round to you and say (the equivalent of) "STFU, it's a bloody drink, isn't it? Not the drink you paid for, but it's still a drink, so you should not be complaining!"

Maybe it's just me being ignorant

BINGO!!!!

here's some coffee ds, to go with your bs:- take a sniff, and WAKE UP!!!

PT

^ Game, set and match to PT

Thank you, Ian..

*bows*

PT

Just read the post PT (been off for a few days) although i did see the article in the Star although i hadn't a clue it was you.

The good thing for you is that now i'm sure they'll try to get one of these low floor access vehicels onto the route as advertised for some time in the future.

However i'm sure standards will soon slip. I'm a believer in that the low-floor buses are just to give them a few gold stars and appease the political people.

Fingers crossed they wont as it not only affects poeple in chairs but also mothers with buggys etc.

Good luck! :bigsmile:

Originally posted by Saxon
With that sort of attitude, Deadstar's got to be a pensioner!!

A touch of ageism there, I'm a pensioner and I certainly admire Plain Talker gumption and support her protest 100%

Well done to you, Plain Talker!!!
As a mother of a pushchair aged child I know how frustrating and infuriating it is to have problems accessing the buses.
How did it go on the Radio (too early for me I'm afraid). Can you post a transcript?

The radio intervivew is not happening until tomorrow...

I have to be at the studios for half past seven;- it's going out live on the breakfast show. (huge GULP!)

Yes, there will be someone from the bus company, representing them, afaik, givng an explanation why it all went wrong. He won't be in the studio, he will be interviewed by phone.

I wonder, is there someone who could tape it for me, please? (I don't know if the radio station can provide a recording of the piece for me?)

scoop, yes I have done the ten-bag-tango, with my family, many-a-time!!! I well rember, fighting with a dozen bags of shopping, a wriggling toddler, and a pushchair that required five hands just to fold it! lol I remember those nightmare days!

yes, a positive thing has come out of this, that it does seem that this has put something of a "rocket" up them; since the morning after this incident, it appears that the service *is* being served with accessible vehicles,now, as it ought, considering it's a designated, wheelchair-friendly route.

I have only had one problem with the service since my escapade, which was a driver who made a bit of a thing about putting the ramp out; he claimed a) not to know how to do it, and b) that he did not know whose responsibility it was, to deploy said ramp, whether it was the driver, or"my attendant".

Thing was, I did not have an "attendant" with me, and in any case, it is policy that the driver should be the one to deploy the ramp, for insurance purposes. Health and safety, really, if the ramp was deployed by a member of the public(MOP), then, the question arises, who is liable, if the MOP injures themselves, or another MOP, whilst deploying the ramp?

PT

:banana: GO PT GO PT:banana:

way to go girly, im sorry i missed this thread when you first posted it.

i bet you were right scared but absolutly good on ya missis :thumbsup:

big hugs
Litha xxx

Originally posted by Plain Talker
The radio intervivew is not happening until tomorrow...

I have only had one problem with the service since my escapade, which was a driver who made a bit of a thing about putting the ramp out; he claimed a) not to know how to do it, and b) that he did not know whose responsibility it was, to deploy said ramp, whether it was the driver, or"my attendant".

Thing was, I did not have an "attendant" with me, and in any case, it is policy that the driver should be the one to deploy the ramp, for insurance purposes. Health and safety, really, if the ramp was deployed by a member of the public(MOP), then, the question arises, who is liable, if the MOP injures themselves, or another MOP, whilst deploying the ramp?

PT

I mentioned a similar experience in one of my posts above - when a driver refused to deploy the ramp. I offered to do it as an MOP. The driver said if you do so, you do it at your own risk. I did so and everything went OK. This was probably about 18 months/2 years ago, so I don't know if things have improved since then. If not the bus company needs to improve its training of drivers in this regard, as at least some of them don't seem to be aware of their responsibilities.

Originally posted by Plain Talker
The radio intervivew is not happening until tomorrow...

I have to be at the studios for half past seven;- it's going out live on the breakfast show. (huge GULP!)

Yes, there will be someone from the bus company, representing them, afaik, givng an explanation why it all went wrong. He won't be in the studio, he will be interviewed by phone.

I wonder, is there someone who could tape it for me, please? (I don't know if the radio station can provide a recording of the piece for me?)

scoop, yes I have done the ten-bag-tango, with my family, many-a-time!!! I well rember, fighting with a dozen bags of shopping, a wriggling toddler, and a pushchair that required five hands just to fold it! lol I remember those nightmare days!

yes, a positive thing has come out of this, that it does seem that this has put something of a "rocket" up them; since the morning after this incident, it appears that the service *is* being served with accessible vehicles,now, as it ought, considering it's a designated, wheelchair-friendly route.

I have only had one problem with the service since my escapade, which was a driver who made a bit of a thing about putting the ramp out; he claimed a) not to know how to do it, and b) that he did not know whose responsibility it was, to deploy said ramp, whether it was the driver, or"my attendant".

Thing was, I did not have an "attendant" with me, and in any case, it is policy that the driver should be the one to deploy the ramp, for insurance purposes. Health and safety, really, if the ramp was deployed by a member of the public(MOP), then, the question arises, who is liable, if the MOP injures themselves, or another MOP, whilst deploying the ramp?

PT

You should be able to listen to the interview on Radio Sheffield webby (http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/radiosheffield/)

Originally posted by Rich
You should be able to listen to the interview on Radio Sheffield webby (http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/radiosheffield/)

but will I have to tune in at the time of the interview, or can it be recalled from the websote at a later date/ time?

(can't you tell... all things technical, just baffle me! lol)

P "i'm a blonde!" T

edit to say, what on earth is a web sOte? i think what i meant was a web sIte lol)

Well, we've just got back from a holiday in Wales, and my son in Malvern (Suprasteve) rings us up late last night to tell us all about Plain Talker's one-woman, sit-down protest!

We have now read all the thread. There is only two things to say to you Plain Talker......(1) Let's hope the bus running to Radio Sheffield in the morning is disabled accessible! (2) Give 'em some welly!

Best wishes from redrobbo and nobikejohn. :clap:

Originally posted by redrobbo
Well, we've just got back from a holiday in Wales *snip*

WELCOME HOME!!!! you've been missed ....

Originally posted by Plain Talker
I have been invited to go on Radio Sheffield about this, on Tuesday morning, on the breakfast show.

(gulp!)

this is becoming a real hornets nest I have stirred up! lol

PT

Wow Plain Talker you are becoming quite a media star ? Breakfast TV next ?

Originally posted by Patrick2000
Wow Plain Talker you are becoming quite a media star ? Breakfast TV next ?

Plain Talker have you got your answers ready for First's spin doctor in chief?

this person should not have taken the protest out on the bus driver!!
after all he is only doing his job with the tool he has been given(the bus) he has no way of knowing what bus he will drive .
the bus will have been sent out in the morning by the company
not the driver
i no nobody on hear likes us bus drivers but there is no need for her to have a go at us .
maybe if she had asked the drivers of the other buses in a polite manner insted of when the doors open the first thing she says is "wats this ? this shud be a low floor "!!!!
try talking to us as people!!!!!!

Originally posted by shefflad
this person should not have taken the protest out on the bus driver!!
after all he is only doing his job with the tool he has been given(the bus) he has no way of knowing what bus he will drive

So how would Plain Talker have got home? I know her, and I know she understands that, sometimes an accessable bus may not be available. But for every bus on the route not to be accessable is not acceptable. She had to get home - or do you think she should spend the night in the bus shelter.

The bus drivers should not have lied to PT by telling her that the next bus was accessable, when in each case it was not.


maybe if she had asked the drivers of the other buses in a polite manner insted of when the doors open the first thing she says is "wats this ? this shud be a low floor "!!!!
try talking to us as people!!!!!!

Were you there? Otherwise how do you know how she asked the drivers?

If she'd asked in a polite manner, would a wheelchair ramp have appeared by magic?

If the very first driver that was unable to take PT had used just a little bit of commonsense and customer service, s/he would have radioed in and found out whether there was an accessible bus allocated to the route and when it would arrive..

I know that drivers are badly paid and have a lot to do, taking fares, making change, keeping order on the bus etc but I think that to just drive on and leave a person in a wheelchair at a stop without even taking a minute or so to check that they would be taken by the following bus shows a distinct lack of care on their part.

Obviously shefflad knows or thinks he knows something that the rest of us don't about what happened that day ...

I'd have been interested to know from First what their policy on disabled access actually is in these cases, is it to fob people with disablities off and leave them sitting at the stop or has the training system gone badly wrong somewhere. I hope we'll get these answers on Tuesday morning. But I suspect we'll actually get a load of flannel.

i only no of the prob from a friend who works for first
we he/her can only drive one bus !
and on a 10 min service you dont see the bus behind
how are we he /she to no the bus behind isnt a low floor ??
we he /she only get paid to drive a bus at a set time not to spot buses infront and behind

plain talker no`s how to complain she has management phone numbers use them not have a go at the driver

Originally posted by shefflad
i no nobody on hear likes us bus drivers but there is no need for her to have a go at us ...


As far as I can see, she wasn't having a go at the drivers - just at the company for not allocating the correct bus to the route.

Does anyone else find it slightly odd that according to the guy from First, they were short of the right sort of bus because of them not being delivered, or vandalism, or whatever, and yet they were able to send one out from the garage to pick PT up in the end? Maybe it was just sat there anyway.

So how would Plain Talker have got home? I know her, and I know she understands that, sometimes an accessable bus may not be available. But for every bus on the route not to be accessable is not acceptable. She had to get home - or do you think she should spend the night in the bus shelter.

plain talker has a electic wheel chair
and only goes about 5 stops....3 mins............i think will ask

The bus drivers should not have lied to PT by telling her that the next bus was accessable, when in each case it was not.

answer to that already given,.......................


Were you there? Otherwise how do you know how she asked the drivers?
If she'd asked in a polite manner, would a wheelchair ramp have appeared by magic?


asked for help insted of been blunt and none polite...........

Originally posted by shefflad
*snipped*
plain talker has a electic wheel chair
and only goes about 5 stops....3 mins...

an electric wheelchair goes at walking pace or less .... certainly up steep hills anyway ... I don't think 5 stops would take only 3 minutes ... three minutes in a car, maybe. More like 30 or more by chair.

But I'm afraid that's not the issue here anyway ... the issue is that at least one bus should have arrived during the hour's wait. IMO, someone should have used their initiative and found out about the availablity of an access bus. They all have radios, not exactly an onerous task to make a swift call to the HQ and ask - is it? If you're a bus driver or other employee of a bus company - i hope yiu'll make it known to them just how "most" people see this incident - as a startling and reprehensible failure on their part to provide a proper service.

It's bad enough when drivers sail past you when it's raining or cold with a sadistic grin - as though somehow they've got one over on you by so doing ... or worse still, when they don't even appear to notice you jumping up and down in the road in front of them ... and drive on ... but to fob off a person with mobility problems like that just shows a total lack of concern for the customer ... whether we're pleasant or not, polite or not is irrelevant ... you're supposed to be providing a service ...

FYI, shefflad, The "walk up the hill to where I live, from town, takes me a minimum of 35-45 minutes in the chair.

it might take TEN minutes by bus...

it might only be be five or six stops on the bus, but it's still a hell of a hike up that hill.

it might have been that my chair had not got enough charge left.

whatever...

the buses should still have been accessible, choose what!

whether I wanted to travel one stop, or 100, there should have been an acessible bus on the route. that is the issue at point here.

PT

Originally posted by shefflad
i only no of the prob from a friend who works for first
we he/her can only drive one bus !
and on a 10 min service you dont see the bus behind
how are we he /she to no the bus behind isnt a low floor ??
we he /she only get paid to drive a bus at a set time not to spot buses infront and behind

plain talker no`s how to complain she has management phone numbers use them not have a go at the driver

but what about when this happens out of office hours?

pt

Don't think anyone here was having a go at the bus driver per-se. More of having ago at the bad management and lack of accessible buses on what is hailed as an accessible route.

That said, how much effort would it have taken for any of the drivers to get on the radio and find out if any of the other buses on the route were wheelchair friendly? Answer: no effort at all, just a little bit of time and consideration.

I don't think PT has mentioned what the guy on the other end of the radio said to the bus driver yet. From what I have heard, PT was perfectly reasonable and patient, but there comes a time for all of us when patience runs out.

What would you have done in her position? I'm sure you would have run out of patience a lot sooner.

Originally posted by Hels
I don't think PT has mentioned what the guy on the other end of the radio said to the bus driver yet. From what I have heard, PT was perfectly reasonable and patient, but there comes a time for all of us when patience runs out.

Personally after hearing about the comments that guy made I'd be writing a formal letter of complaint & expecting him to be given a warning. He sounds extremely unprofessional!

Some of us are not morning people (me included!) - so we shall be wanting a full update from Plain Talker on your interview on Radio Sheffield.

And to the few detractors who felt that Plain Talker was having a go at the bus driver........please remove your blinkers. Plain Talker had every consideration for the bus driver.

I think Plain Talker showed guts and spirit to stage her protest, and she struck a blow not only for herself, but for other bus passengers. Good onya Plain Talker! Now, don't forget to give the bus company some grief on the radio. We look forward to your update later today.

Best wishes

Red

PS Thanks for the welcome back Rubydazzler - it's all been happening whilst I've been on my hols!

* Time-Expired *

Morning!,
As I type plaintalker is talking to Antonia on Radio Sheffield about her bus hijack story.
Good job bringing it to the public fore PT.
:)

Originally posted by Zebra
Morning!,
As I type plaintalker is talking to Antonia on Radio Sheffield about her bus hijack story.
Good job bringing it to the public fore PT.
:)

I have just listened to the interview on Radio Sheffield and I fully agree with Brandon Jones when he states that alot of vehicles are being taken out of service due to vandalism the facts are that rocks,bricks, and anything else that can be thrown is being thrown at the buses smashing windows the costs are enormous yet little or nothing appears to be getting done about this its only a matter of time I think before some areas are going to find themselves without public transport because no business can keep on paying up to £1000 to replace broken windows.

Howdya do PT? I bet you were wonderful. Tell us how it went

LC

For all those who missed PT's interview this morning, where I thought she put her case very well, there is a recording here:

http://s43.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0G8FQTRK9LCWF0KJAGHCHB41PC

Please click only on Item 1 , then the file can be left for everyone else.
Its a large file to download so be patient.

Thank you pietro. Well done.

... and well done, PT:thumbsup:

Originally posted by tosh13
Ever tried getting on a bus without a ramp try it mate,we are not the new Daleks we cannot float!! Love the comment.My little one would find it pretty neat if his chair could do that.:thumbsup:

Plain Talker - aren't you the star of the forum !! Well done on your new found Sheffield Stardom. Think you put your point across pretty fairly considering the situation.

And cheer Pietro for the download :thumbsup:

Hey PT - just listened to your interview. You sounded amazingly professional. So calm, collected, reasonable, confident and self-assured. Like someone who does radio interviews every day of her life. Maybe you're missing your vocation!

I take my hat off to you girl. Good on ya!

:thumbsup:

And thank you to Pietro btw for posting the interview url....

Well done PT!!!

X

Originally posted by Plain Talker
Magic! here it is! the first critical post ! and have you noticed? ....? you are the ONLY ONE!! a minority of ONE!

well i don't give a monkeys, really... what hardship, exactly, did those passengers on the bus I halted suffer?

I would lay bets (and WIN!) against each and every one of THEM having been stood for a fuffing hour waiting for a bus!! There were buses, running that circuit, every ten minutes, and I could not access one of them!

what exactly, was the hardship, for them, when THEY could decant onto the bus behind?


*FIRSTLY* this, bus, incidentally, was less than 10 minutes behind the bus I halted (And the original bus that had left me standing, almost an hour before, )

*SECONDLY* it was totally, 100% accessible to every one of THEM, whereas, *I* could not board, because there was no wheelchair access.

*THIRDLY*, WTF, pray-tell,, is so DAMNNABLY unreasonable, about someone in a chair wanting to travel, on an ACCESSIBLE bus, on what is a DESIGNATED WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY ROUTE?

The bus company should deliver what is promised...

The people in the offices allocating buses to routes know which buses in the fleet are accessible, and which are not. Therefore it is not unreasonable to expect them to say "ok, bus xyz is a ramped bus. route abc needs a ramped bus, so I should allocate *that* bus to *that* route".

There's no point in allocating a non-ramped bus to a route that requires a bus with a ramp. that's elementary planning.

so, go-on? please, elucidate...? I am just DYING to know,what was unreasonable about what I did? what was so unreasonable about wanting to travel, in my wheelchair on an accessible bus, on an "accessible" route? and, indeed, having those expectations realised?

PT


You know what PT one day I'm going to take sometime of work so I can read one of your coments.

Your very hostile on the forum aswell as in life. But the problems is your a complainer and I hate complainers.

The poor people on that bus had no choice but to sit in on your protest even the bus driver who probably wanted to get home to his sick wife. You know she probably died that night.

The only reason people are agreeing with you on this thread is because your disabled and people feel sorry for you but I'm different because I see everyone as equal and you are bang wrong this time.

I'm done with this becuase all you can do is kep making the same argument over and over again but I blew that out of the water so I guess I win.

I hope your not around me when you put on one of your little protests.

Sorry about the spelling mistakes but I'm dyslexic. You would'nt make fun of a person with a disability would you LOL!!

xx

Originally posted by Deadstar
You know what PT one day I'm going to take sometime of work so I can read one of your coments.

Your very hostile on the forum aswell as in life. But the problems is your a complainer and I hate complainers.

The poor people on that bus had no choice but to sit in on your protest even the bus driver who probably wanted to get home to his sick wife. You know she probably died that night.

The only reason people are agreeing with you on this thread is because your disabled and people feel sorry for you but I'm different because I see everyone as equal and you are bang wrong this time.

I'm done with this becuase all you can do is kep making the same argument over and over again but I blew that out of the water so I guess I win.

I hope your not around me when you put on one of your little protests.

Sorry about the spelling mistakes but I'm dyslexic. You would'nt make fun of a person with a disability would you LOL!!

xx

So you expect PT to not say anything about the lack of accessible buses on her local route?! If you were wheelchair bound I'm sure you would kick up a fuss if you were in a similar situation to what PT was in at the time.

IMO more folk should be like PT, and stand up and be counted instead of being afraid to speak out for fear of upsetting people like YOU..

I just listened to the radio broadcast PT - well done! You put your point across clearly and calmly, and you sounded every bit the foxy chick too might I add! :hihi:

Deadstar - If you think PT is hostile, then you need your bumps feeling. PT is one of the kindest, helpful and friendly people I've ever had the good fortune to meet; that's both on here and in 'real life' I don't think you can label PT as hostile just because you seem unable to form a reasoned argument on this thread.

Perhaps if you do decide to take some time off work, you should spend a little time reading through PT's posts so you can see what I mean. I feel the best use of the rest of your day would be spent reading this book! (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0671723650/qid=1117560924/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-2149719-5452951?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

I feel a forum whip-round coming on for you!

Yes, I do think PlainTalkers arguments are very calm and reasoned.

Looking at the situation in question. PlainTalkers complaint is not simply a campaign to get accessible buses on her route, it is the fact that the service is ADVERTISED as accessible but this promise was not delivered.

PlainTalker was prepared to accept that unavoidable operational difficulties may mean the first bus to come along might be a non-accessible vehicle, but to wait for an hour and find that every single bus on the route was not accessible I have to say is unacceptable.

If there was a shortage due to vandalism, surely a vehicle swap could have been carried out, there is a whole convoy of accessible buses on route 52 - they wouldn't miss a couple!

And Finally there is the driver attitute. With buses the driver is the only public face of the company for customer service - there is no one else to answer questions and help passengers. The fact that drivers shouldn't be put in that position by their employers may be a fair point, but one that is not relevant to this argument. This problem is made worse by the fact that the only phone number advertised on the stops is the SYPTE Traveline that cannot help with operational problems, they can only read bus times off a computer screen.

Bus drivers in such a situation surely should be able to just get on their mobile and ring control to organise either a vehicle swap or diversion to rescue a stranded wheelchair passenger, who was stranded by First's inability to operate the advertised service.

Originally posted by Deadstar


The only reason people are agreeing with you on this thread is because your disabled and people feel sorry for you but I'm different because I see everyone as equal and you are bang wrong this time.

Please do not speak on my behalf, I am capable of voicing my own opinions just as clearly as you.
And FYI - pcs have spell checkers, try using it someday.

This reply is not because you are a wheel chair user, not because i feel sorry for you, not because i want to give you sympathy, but because you stood up for what you belive to be right!:clap: :clap: :clap:!!!well done!!!:clap: :clap: :clap:

Originally posted by madowl
This reply is not because you are a wheel chair user, not because i feel sorry for you, not because i want to give you sympathy, but because you stood up for what you belive to be right!:clap: :clap: :clap:!!!well done!!!:clap: :clap: :clap:

Very well put Madowl! :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Zebra
Please do not speak on my behalf, I am capable of voicing my own opinions just as clearly as you.
And FYI - pcs have spell checkers, try using it someday.

He says he's dyslexic, hence his crap spelling... :roll:

I'm with you deadstar. Protesting in such a way is unresonable. Fair enough you were inconvienienced but you managed to inconvienience a driver and a bud load of passengers....well done hope your proud of yourself. I'm sure you could have rung the depot or even god forbid paid for a taxi.

Well done deadstar for staying off the ass kissing bandwagon and standing up for what YOU beleive in.

I can't say that it ever occurred to me to feel sorry for PT - she's far too articulate & her arguments are too erudite for that!

I do feel a certain amount of pity for the radio operator who told the bus driver to drive off with PT on the bus but minus her wheelchair, however. Not exactly a cunning plan as it still left the bus driver stuck with the vehicle & a passenger who was unable to move - just in a different place :rolleyes:

Possibly not the sharpest knife in the drawer...

Originally posted by sheff1
I'm with you deadstar. Protesting in such a way is unresonable. Fair enough you were inconvienienced but you managed to inconvienience a driver and a bud load of passengers....well done hope your proud of yourself. I'm sure you could have rung the depot or even god forbid paid for a taxi.

Well done deadstar for staying off the ass kissing bandwagon and standing up for what YOU beleive in.

Um, no.

Taxis are even worse than buses for not being wheelchair accessible, and have you tried ringing a taxi and actually getting one to turn up on time?!

Dunno about you, but I haven't... And I'm disabled myself (not wheelchair bound though) so I have at least an inkling of an idea what PT went through.

Good on ya PT! Glad to see your interview went well.. Shame the flippin' security settings in my browser wouldn't let me download it :(

There are a lot of taxi companies with taxis that are wheelchair accessible and i'm sure one will turn up if you book it. so um, yeah.

Busses aren't know for thier punctuality either but i take that into account when getting them.

Originally posted by sheff1
I'm with you deadstar. Protesting in such a way is unresonable. Fair enough you were inconvienienced but you managed to inconvienience a driver and a bud load of passengers....well done hope your proud of yourself. I'm sure you could have rung the depot or even god forbid paid for a taxi.

Well done deadstar for staying off the ass kissing bandwagon and standing up for what YOU beleive in.

I'm sure a hundred years or so ago you'd have been saying the same thing to Emmeline Pankhurst! What was it she said about 'Deeds not Words'? :roll:

Get with the bigger picture, and stop making yourself sound so stupid!

Originally posted by Deadstar
The poor people on that bus had no choice but to sit in on your protest even the bus driver who probably wanted to get home to his sick wife. You know she probably died that night.


What's the bus driver's wife got to do with anything?

If she really was on her deathbed, then I sympathise with him, and am shocked that First did not offer compassionate leave.

As for the other people - they had a choice - they could choose to get the next bus. PT couldn't make that choice.


Posted by Shefflad:
The bus drivers should not have lied to PT by telling her that the next bus was accessable, when in each case it was not.

answer to that already given,.......................




I must have missed it - could you repeat it please?

Emmeline Pankhurst campaigned for women’s liberation so i fail to see how this has anything to do with this little "protest". However i suppose a parallel could be drawn between you suggesting that anybody who doesn't agree exactly with what you or the masses are saying sounds 'stupid'. It was that sort of attitude from men that spawned the campaign slogan in the first place.

Been away for a week, so only just caught up with this thread. Just wanted to add my support to PT - what you did took courage - well done!

Originally posted by Deadstar
Don't you expect critical reponses? Do you think your right all the time? Listen if your not happy with the fine bus services sheffield has to offer then arrange other transport.

First and Yorkshire terrier are great never had any problems and with all the problems they have to put with eg. kids throwing things through windows while the bus is moving and bus drivers getting verbally and physically assulted then it's a wonder to me why they come to work in the first place. I would'nt.

People always complain that the buses are'nt tidy enough or there's no disabled access but then turn around and complain when fares go up.

Maybe it's just me being ignorant but thats the way I see it.

Would you complain if the first 5 busses where full or there was no chair lift to take up to the top floor because you wanted a better view, I thing you would becuase your a complainer.

Ta XXX

Fine bus services?! Think you must be living in an alternate universe version of Sheffield mate.. :lol:

Originally posted by sheff1
However i suppose a parallel could be drawn between you suggesting that anybody who doesn't agree exactly with what you or the masses are saying sounds 'stupid'.

Sorry did I give you that impression? I didn't mean to sound as though I was generalising, it's just you I was referring to!

Originally posted by Kristian
Sorry did I give you that impression? I didn't mean to sound as though I was generalising, it's just you I was referring to!

Do you think sarcastic comebacks hide the fact you don't have anything to support your arguments with?? because if you do then again your mistaken. I write what i think and backup my views. Just because they're from different view point to yours you try and shout me down with your playground retorts?? hardly behaviour becoming of a moderator.

Moderators are entitled to an opinion....Kristian is stating his as other moderators have done earlier in the thread.

Are you suggesting moderators should remain neutral on all threads ??

I am really tired of people thinking that moderators shouldn't have a personality or an opinion. Forum members are approached to become mod's because of the personality they display on here; are you suggesting that should stop because someone is awarded mod status?

I haven't given my reasons on this thread for disagreeing with you because plenty of other posters have already made PT's position quite clear.

Originally posted by Rich
He says he's dyslexic, hence his crap spelling... :roll:
I never thought the condition prevented people from spell checking - hence the comment.
Dyslexia has assistance. PT may not and therefore the comparison is unfair.

Originally posted by Pseudonym
Interesting reading...

"Conduct of drivers, inspectors and conductors - a guide for bus and coach staff"

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_mobility/documents/page/dft_mobility_024599.hcsp

Or alternatively http://snipurl.com/f918 (same url)

I suggest that sheff1 and Deadstar read this link provided by Pseudonym. Then their apologies to Plain Talker wouldn't come amiss.

I think Rich and many other posters have summed up my views - Plain Talker is a brave woman to have staged her protest, and deserves support for her actions.

Now let's hope First busses get their act together!

Originally posted by redrobbo
I suggest that sheff1 and Deadstar read this link provided by Pseudonym. Then their apologies to Plain Talker wouldn't come amiss.

I think Rich and many other posters have summed up my views - Plain Talker is a brave woman to have staged her protest, and deserves support for her actions.

Now let's hope First busses get their act together!

'First Bus get their act together ' no chance that would cost them money.

Guess who's in the Gazette that's just landed on my doormat :D

Well done PT. I find some bus drivers if not all of them to be rude to people who arnt disabled. They are there to provide a service and they are getting paid for it so they should help you in any way that they can not just sit there on their fat behinds and not even do anything to help you. We should all stage a protest, something needs to be done about the bus service cos they are just getting worse.

Originally posted by spinny
my friend who some will know as been in the papers over the bus comapany b4.

she has trouble gettin on a bus has the driver has not had his/her ramp test to be able to use the ramp safely, her name julie (wont give surname) but she had no luck at all with putting a complaint to sheffield star.

she was in the star again this week has no trains would let her on for sundays match to cardiff (even tho she gave a week notice) as she is in a chair and no places for her.but i got to say affter she was in the star she did get loads of offers to take her and her freinds to the match.

i been with julie loads of times on the buses and find it so mad that even when a pushchair in the wheelchair port that julie not allowd on.yet it for disabled not pushchair and the drivers that not pass the ramp test.why let them drive the bus is beond me.

so pt good luck to you let us know if u get any more out come to this

Im interested what this so called "ramp test" that drivers must pass is.

Drivers are instructed in the use of a ramp,but they do not undergo a test of any kind.
The use of the ramp is straight forward as it is just a flap that is opened up,simple and easy to use cant understand why people would claim you must undergo a test to operate one.

Originally posted by spinny
she was in the star again this week has no trains would let her on for sundays match to cardiff (even tho she gave a week notice) as she is in a chair and no places for her.but i got to say affter she was in the star she did get loads of offers to take her and her freinds to the match.

Be fair here though, the reason for not getting a train to Cardiff was that the train was FULL, nothing to do with the wheelchair.

I was at Sheffield station when Virgin's Cardiff train was boarding and saw a wheelchair bound Sheffield Wednesday fan board this train via ramp into the wheelchair space with no problem whatsoever.

And tickets for the Central Trains football special didn't go on sale until the Saturday, so if she was trying to book a week before then of course she wouldn't get a ticket for it!