DME and kneeling bus????

[michellelovesthemous]

Hiya
Mom has mobility issues and just struggled last year climbing up in the bus at MCO. I mean almost crawling and everybody stared. She is very concerned tht this will happen again this year so I called DME and have got 4 different answers each time I have called Can anyone here tell me if the DME busses are kneeling or if they have a step to step up on to get to the first step on the bus or if she can ride up on the lift on a handicap bus like she was doing at the park busses?? Again with the latter option 2 different answers - wheelcahirs only on the lift and yes she can w/o as we won't have a chair until the parks. Thanks for any help with this!

 

[dclfun]

The DME busses don't kneel and have really tall steps. She *can* ride up on the lift, which is a platform lift, but she will need to be in a w/c to use it. They will not let her stand on the lift- it really is dangerous.---Kathy

 

[pjpoohbear]

My DM also has stair issues and uses a walker, she was able to sit on her walker for the ride up the lift, this happened without issue except for one time, when the driver "didn't think" she needed the lift, we ended up being the last on the bus that time, normally the wheelchair lift guest is the first assisted onto the bus.

Pj

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a copy of post #16 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which includes pictures of the DME bus steps and the lift in its raised position.

Because of the height the lift reaches, they don’t want people standing on the lift. It is permissible to sit on a wheelchair, ECV or a rollator (walker with a seat).

Orlando - terminal maps and layouts; You can find DME on the Terminal Layout map, one Level One, look for the letter "S"

Here is a picture of the DME bus lift in its highest position:

DME Bus steps

Someone using a wheelchair can ride it up the lift and then the wheelchair will be fastened down to the floor of the bus.
A wheelchair or ECV can also be placed underneath the bus in the luggage storage compartment.
People have posted before that they were allowed to stand on the lift and ride it up for boarding because they were unable to climb the steps.
A DME bus driver posted in late 2008 that this was not allowed and only a person with a wheelchair or ECV is allowed on the lift. No one may stand on the lift.

If you feel you can't climb the steps, let the CM know when you are making your reservations for DME and again when you check in. They will need to come up with some alternative for you.
I have seen people using an airport wheelchair to ride up the lift, get out of the wheelchair to sit in a seat and then borrow a wheelchair at the resort to get out.
On our last trip, I noticed that there were 2 wheelchairs in the under bus storage area. Since we were the first on, the wheelchairs were on before the bus arrived at the stop. Those could also be used to get someone up and down the lift if they don’t have a wheelchair.

 

[Piper]

Have you considered either renting a wc at home so that she will have it for the airport and resorts (or even buying an inexpensive transport chair?) Another option is to rent one from the vendors listed in the FAQs at the top of this board. It sounds like there may be times "at home" when it would be handy to have a chair available!

 

[RumpleMom]

I think this issue can be solved easily.

You request a wheelchair from the airline at the airport for no charge, you tip the wheelchair escort.

The wheelchair is waiting for you at the door of the plane when you land. The wheelchair escort pushes you to baggage claim and then to DME. You load using the wheelchair on the bus lift. The escort collects and returns the wheelchair to the airport.

You reserve a wheelchair from an offsite company, so the wheelchair is waiting for you at your resort. The wheelchair is retrieved and you use it to exit the bus using the lift.

You have your wheelchair for the remainder of your vacation and to reboard DME for the trip back to MCO.

On the return trip you tell DME that you will need a wheelchair to exit the bus, they should be able to call ahead for an escort to have a wheelchair waiting.

 

[seashoreCM]

If the bus driver has a step stool or block that does not occupy the full width of the doorway, then some creative use of it may help someone get up the stairs.

1. Put step stool on ground so person can get onto first bus step.
2. Have person put right foot at far right of the bus step and left foot on next step but not hoist himself up yet.
3. Put step stool on bus step next to person's lower (right) leg.
4. Person climbs up onto step stool and then onto next bus step.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, 4.

When getting off bus, the person may find it easier to go down backwards, namely facing into the bus.