Angela Dobson's long, long wait for a Holloway bus that will take her wheelchair
TfL boss orders inquiry after dossier details 23 complaints in six weeks
Published: 28th January, 2011
by PETER GRUNER
A HOLLOWAY woman who uses a wheelchair claims she has to wait up to an hour for a bus in freezing weather because access ramps are not working or passengers will not make space for her.
The plight of Angela Dobson, 62, who has cerebral palsy, has prompted Transport for London (TfL) Commissioner Peter Hendy to order a full investigation into claims that London’s buses are breaking disability laws.
Ms Dobson, 62, complains that often either the ramp is not working or the driver fails to position the bus correctly to allow the ramp to work or the wheelchair area has been taken over by pushchairs and buggies.
Under the law – and there are signs on most buses pointing this out – disabled people have priority and parents and carers should fold pushchairs and buggies to allow wheelchair access.
London Assembly Labour member Jennette Arnold and a reporter from the Tribune accompanied Ms Dobson on Wednesday afternoon as she waited at a bus stop close to her home in Caledonian Road.
The first bus, a No 91 from Crouch End to Trafalgar Square, refused to take Ms Dobson because the wheelchair area was full with pushchairs. The driver made no attempt to ask parents to make space.
On another bus, a No 30 from King’s Cross, the ramp was so shaky Ms Dobson decided it was not worth the risk.
Mr Hendy has been handed a dossier by Ms Dobson listing 23 complaints about buses covering less than six weeks.
Ms Dobson, a member of Islington Disability Action, said: “Despite the disability acts, getting on a bus is still a great problem for people in wheelchairs. Often they are full with pushchairs and the drivers can’t be bothered or are too scared to ask people to fold them up to make space. Some people are very helpful but you also get those who don’t give a damn. The ramps are another problem. If they don’t work you can’t get on.”
Ms Arnold and Ms Dobson will meet senior bus officials at Holloway depot next month to discuss how things can be improved.
Ms Arnold, a former nurse, said: “Going out with Angela on the buses was quite a shocking experience. There is no question that people in wheelchairs are often treated badly. Buses should not leave the garage unless the ramps are in full working order.”
A TfL spokesman said wheelchair ramps were checked daily before buses left the garage, and random checks were also made on routes.
“The bay on a bus is primarily for disabled passengers,” he added. “This is made clear by notices displayed prominently on board the bus. If a buggy is stored in the bay when a disabled passenger attempts to board, the driver will ask for it to be moved or folded.”