Change in Handling ECV on Buses

[pbrim]

I just got back from a 10 day trip with 2 people, both on ECVs, and I have noticed a change in how loading and parking ECVs on the buses is handled. In prior trips, the bus drivers would give directions, but in general wouldn't touch the ECV themselves.

On this trip, though, most of them offered to have us just drive into the aisle and then transfer to a seat while the driver parked the scooter. A few kind of insisted on it, and one even didn't really want us to drive on the bus at all, just get off and let him drive it up the ramp and park. One mentioned getting some kind of training on how to park scooters.

Has anyone else noticed this? If this is consistent, this could alleviate a lot of fears of first time ECV users (and non-ECV users who have to wait while a newbie tries to learn parallel parking on a bus).

 

[Bete]

This is absolutely great to hear. I hope this is the new norm. Thanks for sharing the info.

 

[disney david]

I just got back from a 10 day trip with 2 people, both on ECVs, and I have noticed a change in how loading and parking ECVs on the buses is handled. In prior trips, the bus drivers would give directions, but in general wouldn't touch the ECV themselves.

On this trip, though, most of them offered to have us just drive into the aisle and then transfer to a seat while the driver parked the scooter. A few kind of insisted on it, and one even didn't really want us to drive on the bus at all, just get off and let him drive it up the ramp and park. One mentioned getting some kind of training on how to park scooters.

Has anyone else noticed this? If this is consistent, this could alleviate a lot of fears of first time ECV users (and non-ECV users who have to wait while a newbie tries to learn parallel parking on a bus).

The driver are not allowed to and shouldn't be telling guest that but most will help. Was he rude or did you find it to be a bad thing or did it you or you find it be easier for you to do it. I don't see Disney doing that because if the driver breaks the ecv Disney now has to pay for it or a guest taking it the wrong way.

Also then what happens to the guest that need to drive it up to get close to a seat to transfer. I see hat being a problem that will be addressed I think it just you got some drivers that wanted to donit to be quicker and a nice way.

But also could see it if they think their buses are getting damaged due to that and having a driver do it and the risk comes with that out weighs the expense to fix the bus.

The only time I could see them do this is for the new bigger buses as you load from the front door. Then have to make a u turn into the spot so some guest might not be prepared to do that.

 

[pbrim]

The driver are not allowed to and shouldn't be telling guest that but most will help. Was he rude or did you find it to be a bad thing or did it you or you find it be easier for you to do it. I don't see Disney doing that because if the driver breaks the ecv Disney now has to pay for it or a guest taking it the wrong way.

The drivers who did this were not rude, although they did stike me as nervous (about me damaging the bus perhaps, or taking too much time and throwing his schedule off.) It did irritate me a little at first, because I am quite proud of the fact that I am pretty good at parking my scooter. I can usually get it in just right on the first try. However, with the driver standing right in front of you so you can't go far enough down the aisle to back in correctly, or distracting you with constant micro-management ("Turn it NOW" "No, not that much" "Turn it MORE!"), it would take several tries, making me look incompetent and making the driver frustrated. So in the end, I just gave up and let the driver park it if he wanted to. My friend is not nearly as good at parking, so usually I park mine, then go back and load hers. She was happy enough to let the driver do it from the start.

The drivers that did insist on parking it, did not use the motor. They handed me the key, put it neutral, and wheeled it into position. And I must say that they all seemed to do a good job of it, usually getting it in smoothly on the first try. So I don't know if this is a new policy to reduce waiting time and prevent possible damage from riders new to ECVs or if I managed to run into several nervous drivers who just prefer to be in control. Some of the drivers insisted on parking it themselves; some offered, but let me park it if I wanted; and some never raised the question (but I think they would have parked it for me if I asked).

 

[disney david]

The drivers who did this were not rude, although they did stike me as nervous (about me damaging the bus perhaps, or taking too much time and throwing his schedule off.) It did irritate me a little at first, because I am quite proud of the fact that I am pretty good at parking my scooter. I can usually get it in just right on the first try. However, with the driver standing right in front of you so you can't go far enough down the aisle to back in correctly, or distracting you with constant micro-management ("Turn it NOW" "No, not that much" "Turn it MORE!"), it would take several tries, making me look incompetent and making the driver frustrated. So in the end, I just gave up and let the driver park it if he wanted to. My friend is not nearly as good at parking, so usually I park mine, then go back and load hers. She was happy enough to let the driver do it from the start.

The drivers that did insist on parking it, did not use the motor. They handed me the key, put it neutral, and wheeled it into position. And I must say that they all seemed to do a good job of it, usually getting it in smoothly on the first try. So I don't know if this is a new policy to reduce waiting time and prevent possible damage from riders new to ECVs or if I managed to run into several nervous drivers who just prefer to be in control. Some of the drivers insisted on parking it themselves; some offered, but let me park it if I wanted; and some never raised the question (but I think they would have parked it for me if I asked).

They should give you the option to park it or let them I don't think it a policy change but can be wrong. I am all for them enhancing the service in a positive way as long as long as they don't force guest to do it unless they want help. Because what will happen is you will get most doing it then the ones that don't will have guest arguing with them that they have to. But since their not required to do it by law it will just cause more problems. I am glad you had a great time and didn't find the change to be a problem once got use to it.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

All my bus drivers had me drive onto the bus and leave the scooter in the vicinity of the lock-down area and then manoeuvred it into position themselves. Just as well, really, as the first time I tried to get the scooter into the right place, I did crash into the seat in front!

There's no worry about you not being able to sit near the scooter, because there are seats marked especially for the wheelchair/scooter user and their party, and if these taken the driver tends to kick those people off! I saw 3 people being kicked out of their seats when he saw me waiting to get onto the bus!!

Oh, and we went on one of the new bendy-buses, and we still loaded halfway back - you never get on at the front!

 

[disney david]

All my bus drivers had me drive onto the bus and leave the scooter in the vicinity of the lock-down area and then manoeuvred it into position themselves. Just as well, really, as the first time I tried to get the scooter into the right place, I did crash into the seat in front!

There's no worry about you not being able to sit near the scooter, because there are seats marked especially for the wheelchair/scooter user and their party, and if these taken the driver tends to kick those people off! I saw 3 people being kicked out of their seats when he saw me waiting to get onto the bus!!

Oh, and we went on one of the new bendy-buses, and we still loaded halfway back - you never get on at the front!

Really I saw the sticker by the front door figured those buses was to long and bi to tilt and be able to use one of the back doors. Thanks for the update I know disney pays extra for that in the other buses but didn't know it could be done on those buses.

op sorry for hyjacking your thread to talk about the new buses and sorry to everyone now back to the topic at hand

 

[thebutlerdidit]

I just got back from a five day trip on Tuesday, my first on a scooter ( also the first in 14 years). After the first day if the driver didn't offer to park my scooter, I requested it, they threw it in neutral and parked it in much shorter time then I could have. I also noticed on one of the buses there were spots for three scooters.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

When we went the end of March we also experienced the drivers having my mom drive her scooter up the ramp and into the vacinity of the space and taking the key then the driver manuvered it into the space. All of the buses that we road that trip had her do the same thing.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't know if it's new policy or not.
In the past, CMs were not supposed to move them.

It would not surprise me if they were now allowed to move ECVs into position in free-wheel/neutral. (i.e. Push the ECV into place).
I would be very surprised if they were allowed to drive them onto the bus with the motor.

Many people are using an ECV for the first time at WDW and are very nervous about driving and parking it on the bus. Some are not very good at it and it can become a safety issue. On our last trip, I almost got hit by a person parking their ECV on the bus - and I had even moved to one of the front seats. After almost getting hit, I moved even farther up - and almost got hit again.

So, if they changed the policy, I would think it would be primarily for safety reasons and would also help to speed things up.

Most of the newer buses have 3 tiedown spots; that makes it even harder to maneuver into the spots, so it would make sense to train the drivers to do it.

 

[Talking Hands]

I will not be allowing drivers to park my power wheelchair on the buses. It is extremely difficult to put it in and out of free wheel and I cannot physically do it myself so I don't want others doing it. It is my personal wheelchair so they need to respect that

 

[SueM in MN]

If it's being done, it sounds like an option, not a requirement.

 

[SashaFarce]

We were asked each time a few weeks ago if we needed help parking. I let them because I'm awful at it. My partner does it well and handled it herself, no pressure.

 

[Gilrond]

In December, they were generally having me take a seat and then putting the ECV in neutral and maneuvering it into place.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I just got back from a 10 day trip with 2 people, both on ECVs, and I have noticed a change in how loading and parking ECVs on the buses is handled. In prior trips, the bus drivers would give directions, but in general wouldn't touch the ECV themselves.

On this trip, though, most of them offered to have us just drive into the aisle and then transfer to a seat while the driver parked the scooter. A few kind of insisted on it, and one even didn't really want us to drive on the bus at all, just get off and let him drive it up the ramp and park. One mentioned getting some kind of training on how to park scooters.

Has anyone else noticed this? If this is consistent, this could alleviate a lot of fears of first time ECV users (and non-ECV users who have to wait while a newbie tries to learn parallel parking on a bus).

Well I have a problem with it being forced on me. I own my ECV and know how to drive it very well. I should not be forced to turn over control of my personally owned equipment to a perfect stranger. As a matter of fact, it is RARE that the bus driver doesn't compliment me on how quickly and well I can park my ECV on the bus. I get it in the spot better than 90% of the time on the very first try. I have even had other guests ask me to load theirs for them when a driver wouldn't help. And I happily obliged. But it is not something I need someone else to do for me. This should be optional!
BTW I can parallel park my almost 19 ft vehicle without major effort so I am sure that helps with why this little ECV seems like a piece of cake to me!!

 

[Gilrond]

I agree with not having it forced on personal ECVs and folk who can maneuver them well. I own and use an ECV at work but can't parallel park it (or anything else). I wish I could but just don't the spatial sense or whatever that it takes.

 

[Nanajo1]

It sounds like this was offered not forced. I have too much experience with ECVs and power chairs 16 years worth. I think early on I would have appreciated the help. I was nervous about taking too much time to park the scooter and making everyone on the bus wait. Never mind the deep sighs I got when I missed the mark. Now a days drivers comment on my prowess in parking my power chair. I've come a long way!

 

[Gilrond]

What are the exact dimensions of the parking space on the bus? I feel so clumsy that I am thinking of setting up some chairs at the right distance and practicing. My ECV is only 37 inches long ( GoGo Elite Traveler) and I hope I can rent one that small -it was the GoGo Sport last time which is 6 or 7 inches longer.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

Can't remember - it's posted somewhere as being maximum length 45", so perhaps that's it. I know that mine was 39" and when they used the hooks to tie it down, they cranked it in nice and tight. UI do remember that there wasn't really enough floor space to go forward and back in as you would a car; you go up the ramp, do a sharp right and then you're there. The location of the second is in front and they have to fold the seating back up against the wall.

I have to point out, though, that a power chair is not the same as a scooter, and the footprint is much more square. With a wheelchair/powerchair, don't they ask you to back up against the bit of wall and put your brakes on?

 

[Nanajo1]

My power hair does not have brakes. Once the power is off the wheels do not turn. They can slide if enough force is applied. The chair needs to be positioned so the rear locked down can be attached and tighten