Wheelchair users are to have better access to buses following a ruling by the Supreme Court over a passenger’s right to ride.
Doug Paulley, from Wetherby, West Yorkshire, brought the case when he was unable to get on a bus because a mother with a sleeping baby refused to move the pushchair from the designated disabled space.
Although the final judgement fell short of making it a legal requirement for bus companies to compel non-wheelchair passengers to move from the space, the Government has said it aims to take measures including clearer signs saying wheelchair users have priority and powers for drivers to eject passengers who refuse to move.
There may also be a campaign to encourage parents to use folding pushchairs on public transport.
Keith Richards, who chairs the Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee, welcomed the announcement.
“Fighting for what is essential space should not be part of the day-to-day experience wheelchair users have when using buses,” he said.
“We hope the department will maintain its pace into the implementation phase, to ensure that wheelchair users no longer face these challenges or have to fight for facilities provided for them in law.”
You can read more about the ruling here.
