The problems that happen when one operator allows mobility scooters on board

[Greenback]

And judging by the behaviour of some owners of these devices, they are quite an effective tank! Instead of driving to avoid pedestrians, the pedestrians have to avoid them!!!!!

Well, I don't know if any of you have watched 'Benidorm' on ITV but it seems that the same thought has crossed the minds of the writers of that show given that one of the characters has no need for a scooter but chooses to hire one for her entire holiday!

My thoughts exactly! The wretched things are very common a round here, on the pavements, the roads, in shops, everywhere!

I know for a fact that some of the people in them can walk long distances, even referee sports games!

 

[Ferret]

My thoughts exactly! The wretched things are very common a round here, on the pavements, the roads, in shops, everywhere!

I know for a fact that some of the people in them can walk long distances, even referee sports games!

Now this in turn has made me laugh out loud!!!! The mind boggles, it really does!

I was in Telford one morning last year, and thought it would be a top plan to go to the Wethies for Breakfast! There were about 5 mobility scooters parked outside at 09:30!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. That said, on a lighthearted note, I have a confession to make. My mate's stepdad had one when he was still with us, and old Gavin let us have a go on it while we were all a tad tipsy on New Years Eve. I seem to recall us having a time trial around the gardens of his sheltered accomodation!!!! Absolutely tremendous fun!

 

[asylumxl]

Besides the fact this woman is obviously on a vendetta, she also gets on my nerves because she cannot write properly. The way she writes makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a spoon.

 

[Kernowfem]

A former miner who lived around the corner from me was notorious for driving a scooter back from the pub drunk...untill he found the canal tow path one night and ended up going for a swim.....Sorry going slightly off topic now......

 

[atomicdanny]

I've noticed that she Is very quick to ignore the facts (such as the doors being too narrow for her large scooter, and the trains are upto 20 years old!) The only problem is that there are a lot of people who will only blame the TOCs for all of the rail stock issues (I don't work for the railway industry but I've seen it first hand, where Conductors and station staff have been abused say because of a previous late train and the one they are on was being held at a red signal)

As for the situation with the scooter, I've been in the position where I've been accused of discrimination simply because one lady with a fairly large scooter (well it was more like a small car!) tried to go shoping in the store that I worked. I politely explained to her that because of health and safety issues (the size of her scooter, the turning cycle and the width of the aisles) but that wasn't good enough and despite myself being polite, I was spat at, sworn at and even a couple of other customers defended her!

Just to note though I do feel for those that struggle with disabilities and have even carried luggage for people across bridges and on to trains, but some people are just expecting everything to change just because of them and if you don't jump over hoops for them, you'll get abused unfortunately (just to note though, I know that this is only a small majority and most are fairly kind people. I just hate seeing people just doing their day job well just to get abused and sworn at because of things beyond their own control (I have been a manager before now, so I've probably seen most types of abuse )

I apologise if any of the above is offensive in anyway, it was not intended to be. I know that most people with scooters aren't like the above example and in no way wish harm or intend to insult anyone with real mobility problems (I have a couple of friends who have scooters for legitmate reasons, multiple sclerosis and they can't walk that far without them)

 

[moonrakerz]

Sadly disabled discrimination laws and political correctness have drowned out some common sense. I have one leg, and sometimes use a wheelchair or crutches when i cant wear my limb. Ive always found it possible to get onto a train with one or the other, and when needed have been given full assistance by excellent staff. Mobility scooters are in my opinion a pain, i also find it hard to believe this lady could not get out of the scooter and board the train with assistance, and allow the scooter to be carried on board and stored somewhere that would allow for it safely. SOME people just refuse to get their lazy bums out of them and expect everyone to follow their every command.
You may think im being a little harsh, and for this i apologise, but it has been made possible for people to take advantage of certain situations. Rail companies have rules for a reason, mainly safety. Im sure this lady would have been the first to complain and sue if she got hurt as a result.

Could I say - what an eminently sensible post ! Had I (with four limbs) posted such a comment, I daresay I would have been howled down by some kamikaze scooter pilot and been accused of insensitivity and some sort of 'ism !

 

[Greenback]

The unfortunate thing is that those who have the scooters and don;t need them, tend to spoil it for those who do have a genuine need.

I have an acquaintance who has had a stroke. He can only walk short distances by using a stick and even then very slowly, and he relies on his sccoter to give him a small amount of independence. have no doubt that he, and the vast majority of people who do have mobility problems, are very grateful for the fact that they can use these scooters, and would not try and drive them on to a train, or anywhere else that is not suitable for them.

 

[CarterUSM]

I've had the misfortune of refusing one or two scooter users on to a service i've been guarding, and found it to be an exceedingly unpleasant experience with much sympathy from myself for one of them i may add. Whilst not common i hope, none of the users had even enquired to whether their conveyance was permitted or not, and of any restrictions , bookings or other information they may require beforehand , expecting to 'turn up and go'. I do find this odd, even accounting for the equal treatment of those less ambulant than others. I know it is easy for me to say, and i do with the utmost respect, but i would do all i could to ensure i was armed with all the info i required to make my journey beforehand .

 

[WatcherZero]

Really it comes down to expectation, they are road vehicles and people who have difficulty walking long distances should be perfectly entitled to use them. The problem is when they feel they have a right to take their road vehicle on a train, if your going to use public transport then use a electric wheelchair!

 

[Kernowfem]

I've had the misfortune of refusing one or two scooter users on to a service i've been guarding, and found it to be an exceedingly unpleasant experience with much sympathy from myself for one of them i may add. Whilst not common i hope, none of the users had even enquired to whether their conveyance was permitted or not, and of any restrictions , bookings or other information they may require beforehand , expecting to 'turn up and go'. I do find this odd, even accounting for the equal treatment of those less ambulant than others. I know it is easy for me to say, and i do with the utmost respect, but i would do all i could to ensure i was armed with all the info i required to make my journey beforehand .

I so feel for you Carter. It cant be pleasant being put in this sort of predicument. Many a disabled person will always forward plan a journey, mainly for them to ensure that at no point will they be left stranded, or cause anyone any trouble. You see 99.9% of the disabled hate to draw attention to themselves, so the smoother the journey, the better it is for them. We hate to be seen as 'discrimination screamers' it annoys the hell out of us. And this is where we see a certain type of society complainer come the surface.
I agree 100% with the rail companies rules. Perhaps the lady in question should not have bought TWO scooters, but swapped the second one for a wheelchair in which case access to trains would be easy.
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Could I say - what an eminently sensible post ! Had I (with four limbs) posted such a comment, I daresay I would have been howled down by some kamikaze scooter pilot and been accused of insensitivity and some sort of 'ism !

Thankyou moonrakerz

 

[CarterUSM]

I so feel for you Carter. It cant be pleasant being put in this sort of predicument. Many a disabled person will always forward plan a journey, mainly for them to ensure that at no point will they be left stranded, or cause anyone any trouble. You see 99.9% of the disabled hate to draw attention to themselves, so the smoother the journey, the better it is for them. We hate to be seen as 'discrimination screamers' it annoys the hell out of us. And this is where we see a certain type of society complainer come the surface.
I agree 100% with the rail companies rules. Perhaps the lady in question should not have bought TWO scooters, but swapped the second one for a wheelchair in which case access to trains would be easy.

Thanks for that, that's what I was trying to get at, I felt absolutely rotten about them becoming the centre of attention as I know exactly how much that can be humiliating for anybody! I like to be discreet in my professional interactions with passengers at the best(and worst!) of times myself.

 

[Greenback]

You see 99.9% of the disabled hate to draw attention to themselves, so the smoother the journey, the better it is for them. We hate to be seen as 'discrimination screamers' it annoys the hell out of us. And this is where we see a certain type of society complainer come the surface.

This is exactly why I believe it is mostly those who do not have genuine mobility difficulties that cause the trouble.

I have every sympathy for someone who, through illness, accident, age or infirmity has difficulty in walking. I have absolutely no sympathy for those who have a scooter because it is easier than walking.