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Are people understanding on public transport?
I was feeling drowsy today, and felt myself starting to doze off standing up – on a hot tube, rammed full of people. I bit the bullet and searched for the pregnant woman/less-abled seat. It was a woman, sat there, reading her newspaper. I asked if I could sit down, explaining briefly that I am unable to stand. She sneered up at me, stared a weird silence, and almost looked like she wanted me to tell her how/what/when/why. I felt sad, not upset, so I stood back and said ‘ok’. She then stood up in a complete huff and muttered ‘my shoes are killing me’. I tried not to laugh out loud, in disbelief as opposed to any comedic response.
I have an invisible disability, as they call them, I get it – it’s not ideal for people to get up out of the seat they felt so lucky to get when the last person gave it up! It must be odd to be approached by someone who looks more than able to carry on standing.
How do you guys get on with public transport? The LU is infamous for its often-incredible lack of accessibility.
Muscular Dystrophy UK staff member
Re: Are people understanding on public transport?Dear lord, stupid woman, I avoid all modes of public transport like the plague
Re: Are people understanding on public transport?My only negative experience on a bus [which I use rarely] was young mums with their baby buggies sighing with extreme miffedness and muttering under their breath because shock-of-shock a wheelchair was in the wheelchair space on the bus.
The one time there was an issue with the train – it had been delayed because of a fatal incident, by the time I got rolled on the area for wheelchairs was jammed with suitcases [granny on her WallysTrolleys trip] …. we all ended at the terminus station and I glared as she struggled with her ma-hoo-sive case, and she moaned about everything and glared at me stuck beside the loo in my chair … I being of sarcastic mode said “It’s fine, I don’t mind paying full ticket fare for your case to take my seat” and smiled as she continued to struggle. The railway person who was there waiting to get me off the train smirked, trying not to laugh at the situ.
People who have no experience of disablity or getting about with a disabled person, are generally obnoxious.
I'm always the animal, my body's the cage
I blog about nothingness www.amgroves.com
Re: Are people understanding on public transport?On buses, an awful lot depends on the attitude of the driver. I’ve had good experiences, and some horrendous ones, and have got quite used to being left at bus stops because drivers can’t be bothered to lower the ramp… Or mums with buggies who’ve taken up the wheelchair space because they can’t be bothered to fold up their buggy.
Re: Are people understanding on public transport?Had a big problem due to this subject on my weekly health appointment.
Normally works fine because I was able to choose the location and time and the bus goes virtually from
my front door to right next to the Heath Centre. 11.50 appointment always when the buses will be deserted.This week though, horror or of horrors and all five the the disabled seats are occupied and
not a walking stick or bandage among any of the five young occupants. I did my usual thing of pausing and trying to
look confused and lost but the blighters just made great efforts to look out the window. Could
not make a fuss and made my way back through the crowded bus, trying to work out what
major event was causing this great exodus by bus.Hottest day of the year and I had disobeyed the Regional Advisor’s instruction not to go out on consecutive days
by having an emergency dental job the day before. I could not sit and just wedged sideways on my Rollator between
things and it got hotter. At the stop all the teens tried to get off at once for their event and as I was trying to slowly
change direction and get down the bus everything went haywire. I do not remember what happened, do not
remember being struck but just everything swimming and teenage voices hurrying me up. Suddenly I am on the floor
just remember hating the people in the disabled seats, all their fault. Driver making fuss and howls of abuse from teens when he announced no one was leaving till he had witness statements. Ambulances being called, then cancelled
as an RAF medic appeared and declared me not in any danger. Nice hot drink appeared from somewhere
and a rest and a cab home.But why are people so nasty? Just felt adrift in a sea in intolerance, annoyance and indifference. I got
really het up about the people in the disabled seats, maybe that and the heat and the twisting
and being made to feel like I was holding them all up combined to do me in. Why are people
so self centered?"Even if you are not paranoid, it does not mean they are not out to get you!".
Re: Are people understanding on public transport?Oh my goodness Taungfox, that sounds such an ordeal and it makes me angry that you had to go through it
Hope you are ok now and sending you recovery vibesA learning experience is one of those things that say, “You know that thing you just did? Don’t do that.” - Douglas Adams
Re: Are people understanding on public transport?@sar78 wrote:
Oh my goodness Taungfox, that sounds such an ordeal and it makes me angry that you had to go through it
Hope you are ok now and sending you recovery vibesThanks the support.
I have phoned the bus company to thank the driver.
meant to discuss the subject of people in disabled seats but did not want to seem difficult or awkward
and did not mention it.If only I had just been as rude as them and there would have been no problem at all.
"Even if you are not paranoid, it does not mean they are not out to get you!".
Re: Are people understanding on public transport?Hi Mr Fox,
I am so sorry you endured such a horrible experience. It is awful that nobody gave up their seat for you despite your haviing a rollator and needing to sit down. It is sickening to realise that some people are so self absorbed/ selfish/ unconcerned that they don’t notice somebody’s predicament. It’s basic good manners to help others in your situation, so doesn’t it make you wonder about the mental capacity of some sections of humanity?
I haven’t been on public transport for 24 years. Your experience and that of others doesn’t make me want to try now.
Syb
Re: Are people understanding on public transport?Whoa Taung…that’s despicable. Do you feel better now that you have called the bus company to call the driver? I would still be fuming! Having an RAF medic on hand though…that’s gotta be something! But then you shouldn’t have needed a medic at all!
Muscular Dystrophy UK staff member
Re: Are people understanding on public transport?So many disabilities are not obvious. I tend to stand on public transport if no see are available or close by as I don’t want to create a fuss by asking someone to move. Kick myself for it later as feel worse. It should be against the law for non disabled folks to sit on those seats. #nextMDcampaign ?
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