Just back/musings on w/c bus loading ( long)

[dclfun]

Well, I can finally understand where complaints are coming from about w/c guests boarding busses first as this trip I virtually "saw it all". This is my general plea for courtesy for others which I feel those of us who post here DO take into consideration. I stayed at Pop with my adult children although we frequently split up since I don't have the same level of stamina or ability to get on attractions and also have a SD to consider (when she's had enough heat, we're done for the day). On one occasion I was going to the MK queue line where there is a special w/c boarding area. Upon arrival the bus had started to load so I approached the driver to let him know we'd be waiting for the next bus so that I had waited the same amount of time as the other guests. Meanwhile another w/c guest joined me with her party of 3. She was angry that no w/c guests had boarded, however I explained that boarding had begun when I got there and thus I preferred to wait as there was a very long queue line. The next bus came- lift was broken. The third bus came almost immediately and as myself and this family was boarding another family came rushing up to board. They explained their w/c could be folded and their w/c guest could transfer so the bus driver allowed them on, even though they had not waited at all and the queue line could have supported two bus loads of guests. They proceeded to board with 22 GUESTS!!!! They offered that they were a "grand gathering" and took almost every other available seat while those in the queue line who had waited patiently then had to stand or wait for yet another bus. I was appalled...where is common courtesy toward others? No wonder there are people complaining on other boards and threads about w/c guests boarding before others. If you have a large party and see a huge line, and if you have not waited....why not wait your "turn"? If your w/c guest cannot wait in the heat/queue line why not have them wait in the shade and have another person hold their place? If the guest truly "needs" to board, then why not send them on with another person and the rest of a huge party wait in line with everyone else? ARghhhhh! I was actually embarrassed over this whole scenario, but it did make me understand where negativity comes from, and in this case negativity was justified...sigh. Just venting.---Kathy

 

[alizesmom]

It just proves anyone can be an idiot. Abled or not. Karen

 

[KPeveler]

people like that drive me crazy. I am planning on my daddy taking my folding chair and putting it on a tram for me so i dont take a handicapped parking space!!! I HATE people who are that rude! that is a lot of the reason i dont ride the buses - i always get trapped with rude people

 

[pcparamedics01]

Terrible! Some people have no consideration for others! Sorry that it happened to you.

 

[Mason7AK]

It's people like that who cause the rest of us "wheelchair parties" to get the evil eye when we even approach the bus stops! We are a family of six, and our next trip will have two DC in wheelchairs and one DD using a stroller as wheelchair (not walking YET, but we have hope). I am dreading the "looks" and "under the breath grumbling" we will have to endure, even though we try to hold back for the next bus when we haven't waited as long as the people in the lines. Our problem has been that on several occasions, when we have sat down to wait other wheelchair parties jump right on into line, and then we have to wait that much longer. How do those of you in wheelchairs or ECV's handle that? Do you have one person stand in line, while the rest of you wait on a bench,etc.? We haven't figured out a good way to handle this because if we just stay in the wheelchair line and tell the bus driver we will wait for the next bus, they usually tell us to go ahead and get on now. And if we wait back away from the line, then other wheelchair parties go right on up anyway and either get loaded right away or take the next bus that should have been our ride!? And since we need two wheelchair spaces we end up having to wait for a bus a lot of the time anyway! It's a definite problem!
Angela

 

[dclfun]

I agree it's a problem, but in the above situation there's really no way to resolve it other than all standing in the w/c queue line ( if it's okay to do so- shaded, etc) or having someone hold your place and explaining to subsequent w/c parties that your family is waiting to board in another area due to comfort and convenience so they reallize they'll be waiting til the following bus. In my situation, once I explained to the smaller family who came up behind me that the bus had begun loading, and pointed to the HUGE queue line, they understood and we both pleasantly and appropriately waited for the next bus. Even with the next bus having a broken lift, the driver called immediately for another and it was there just as that bus pulled out of the parking slot, full to the max with yet more guests. If only the larger party had been more courteous. They certainly saw that both myself and the other guest were in w/c's being tied down and certainly they knew they were a very large party ( which made me wonder how they handled queue lines in the parks with 22 guests and one in a w/c!) I don't presume to know their situation, such as whether the disabled guest would've had "problems waiting", whether they had dealt before with broken lifts and waiting longer periods. I know they weren't late to a meal as I had seen them all dining for breakfast in the food court. Oh well....I agree this is what makes others give the stares, the grumbles, and generate ill will against the rest of us travelling in w/c's who do our best to have equal and not better access.---Kathy

 

[kaytieeldr]

I try to hang back in the lane leading up to the wheelchair loading area if there are already a lot of people waiting. That way, the driver (probably) doesn't see me, and anyone else would have to go around me - and you know how narrow those lanes are
Or, I'll just tell the driver I JUST got there and will wait for the next bus. But I'm alone, I'm not dragging 21 other people with me.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I'm sorry but I disagree with many of you. While what the OP describes is not right either. but when I approach a bus at Disney in my ECV the Rules Disney has set is that I get in the Wheel chair line. that is what I do. if I were just walking up to the line I would get at the back of the regular line since that is what a walking person is expected to do.
I do NOT feel that I because I am in the ECV must hang back and then at some future time get in the WC line, perhaps after the first bus left and a new regular line is or has formed.
Mostly I don't use the buses we rent a van just because the whole bus issue is a pain. but when I HAVE used them I got in the line upon my arrival and I leave it to the Diseny Driver to handle who goes when and where.

 

[shellybaxter]

I'm sorry but I disagree with many of you. While what the OP describes is not right either. but when I approach a bus at Disney in my ECV the Rules Disney has set is that I get in the Wheel chair line. that is what I do. if I were just walking up to the line I would get at the back of the regular line since that is what a walking person is expected to do.
I do NOT feel that I because I am in the ECV must hang back and then at some future time get in the WC line, perhaps after the first bus left and a new regular line is or has formed.
Mostly I don't use the buses we rent a van just because the whole bus issue is a pain. but when I HAVE used them I got in the line upon my arrival and I leave it to the Diseny Driver to handle who goes when and where.

Mickiethepooh,

I do what you do. Granted I don't generally use the buses at peak times. I leave for the parks at least an hour early and hang back in the park until the bus lines have lessened in the evenings, or I leave prior to park closing. When I approach the bus lines I go and line up in the place designated for wheelchairs/ECVs. I only travel with one or two people so I don't take up a bunch of seats, but I don't hang back if there is a line because I would never expect the next person to hang back simply because I felt it was the right thing to do. I follow the rules as set up by Disney. I think that is the right thing to do.

 

[MightyMom]

It's people like that who cause the rest of us "wheelchair parties" to get the evil eye when we even approach the bus stops! We are a family of six, and our next trip will have two DC in wheelchairs and one DD using a stroller as wheelchair (not walking YET, but we have hope).

You're from Laredo??? We are practically neighbors. I'm in McAllen!

 

[Schmeck]

I believe the OP stated that she arrived after the bus was starting to load - that was why she waited for the next bus. Once people are walking onto the bus, is the bus driver allowed to open the back doors and drop the ramp? Is there a bus protocol for this situation, or do the bus drivers make the decision themselves?

If you get to the bus stop and the bus hasn't shown up yet, or started to load, I would hope that anyone needing to use the ramp access would get into the Wheelchair access queue, no matter how long the line is for walk-ons! The bus driver needs to see you, and line up properly, and not open the front doors until your party is on, safe and sound!

 

[Mason7AK]

You're from Laredo??? We are practically neighbors. I'm in McAllen!

Well hello there neighbor! LOL We just moved here at the end of May from Anchorage, AK. We like it, but its hot here! Definitely easier rolling wheelchairs here instead of through the snow and ice though!
Angela

 

[madenon]

It's people like that who cause the rest of us "wheelchair parties" to get the evil eye when we even approach the bus stops! We are a family of six, and our next trip will have two DC in wheelchairs and one DD using a stroller as wheelchair (not walking YET, but we have hope). I am dreading the "looks" and "under the breath grumbling" we will have to endure, even though we try to hold back for the next bus when we haven't waited as long as the people in the lines. Our problem has been that on several occasions, when we have sat down to wait other wheelchair parties jump right on into line, and then we have to wait that much longer. How do those of you in wheelchairs or ECV's handle that? Do you have one person stand in line, while the rest of you wait on a bench,etc.? We haven't figured out a good way to handle this because if we just stay in the wheelchair line and tell the bus driver we will wait for the next bus, they usually tell us to go ahead and get on now. And if we wait back away from the line, then other wheelchair parties go right on up anyway and either get loaded right away or take the next bus that should have been our ride!? And since we need two wheelchair spaces we end up having to wait for a bus a lot of the time anyway! It's a definite problem!
Angela

I understand having two wc's will give you more of a headache getting on a bus. I found it remarkable to see that there doesn't seem to be a "even" spread of wc parties over the different resorts. There seem to be resorts that have a lower percentage of wc users. Maybe that could be something for your next trip to look into? Especially with the kids you don't want to split up the party too often and getting a bus than can be such a pain.


What I did about the line and people skipping it? I just drove up right to the place where the bus would stop (give or take some space and ofcourse; enough space to the curb!), right at the spot you'ld get on with a wc. Nobody would be able to get past me because of the way they build the busstops. In the front there wouldn't be a curbside or enough curbside left to stand in front of me and let the bus pull up. I'ld turn my chair around so I'ld be facing the busstop. I'ld put up my footrest. Doing it just because needing it for my knees but turned out to be the best thing to prevent anyone -wc or not wc- to even try and skip past me.



Schmeck, I assume there must be some regulation but it would probably be allowed to still board. Afterall; you can also board as a wc user if there are allready people in the bus that got on at another resort (like floridian and comtemporary sharing) or busstop (like at cbr). Logic tells me those rules would have to do with safety. Or; let those who are allready boarding continue to board. Stop the boarding where possible and needed (I've gotten on busses last that only had 10 others board, no probs with that). Make room for the person with a wc or ecv to get on safe without injuring themselve, the busdriver or others on the bus. This might mean having some people get out of there seat while the person in the wc/ecv is boarding. Wc/ecv in the bus, secure it to the floor, then finish boarding/letting people get back to their seats. But than again, that's only me guessing.



Kathy, could it be that you were at Epcot during the weekend of september 8/9?? I think I might have seen you at Mousegear during the evening. Didn't make the connection than and there but afterwards the lightbulb went on that a woman in a wc of same brand as mine with her SD doesn't happen like hundreds at a time and might just maybe be you.

 

[Schmeck]

Schmeck, I assume there must be some regulation but it would probably be allowed to still board. Afterall; you can also board as a wc user if there are allready people in the bus that got on at another resort (like floridian and comtemporary sharing) or busstop (like at cbr). Logic tells me those rules would have to do with safety. Or; let those who are allready boarding continue to board. Stop the boarding where possible and needed (I've gotten on busses last that only had 10 others board, no probs with that). Make room for the person with a wc or ecv to get on safe without injuring themselve, the busdriver or others on the bus. This might mean having some people get out of there seat while the person in the wc/ecv is boarding. Wc/ecv in the bus, secure it to the floor, then finish boarding/letting people get back to their seats. But than again, that's only me guessing.

Thanks for the info about your experience! I'm wondering if the bus driver has to close the front door before he is allowed to open the back ones to put down the ramp though - so people stop coming in as not to overcrowd the bus, and so the aisle is open so that he can walk back to his seat? If he pulled up to a bus stop, he could just leave the bus doors closed, but if he was already letting people on when a person needing the ramp showed up, what is he allowed to do?

I do remember the time one family with a member in an ECV arrived at the bus stop after the bus was loaded, the bus driver was just closing the door, and they banged on the back doors with their fists - they were furious that they were not let on that bus! There were 15-20 of us who were there ahead of them, as walk-ons, who were told to wait for the next bus, which was 5 minutes behind this bus, and we were shocked at how angry that family was! That was the only time I've ever seen someone act like that about getting on the bus though - most times I've found myself pointing people in ECVs and wheelchairs to the access point they need to be at, so that the bus driver knows they are there.

 

[madenon]

Smeck, I don't know what official rules are. I've had both happen. Closing and keeping the front doors open. The last never works, never mind the busdriver telling people not to get on or me actually being at the busstop waiting in line before I got on -so not just driving up when boarding allready had started-. Everybody gets annoyed; busdriver for those keeping boarding. Those boarding for being told not to when they know they can board the bus and me with those boarding ignoring my " 'scuse me could you please move your fillinbodyparthere out of the way or take a seat so I can get into my spot and we can get the others boarding started asap again?"

Banging on the door is just stupid. Come on! OK, so you don't get on the bus, big deal. They sure don't use my mantra. Never ever get on the bad side of a busdriver when it is that person that has to tigh down your chair/ecv and drive the bus with care when he/she has to get over those speedbumps.

And now we're on the subject of the bus; if it's up to me, they get rid of the old busses asap! Not only is that type of bus more difficult to get on and then into the disabled spot -risk for those not used to using for instance an ecv- but each and every one of those busses I was on had problems with the seatbelts. Most of the times upto such an extend the busdriver just had to give up, that belt wasn't going anywhere unless you'ld cut it.

 

[BroganMc]

Funny but I found an even better bus system than Disney for wheelchairs... London's mass transit.

Their regs do not require tie-downs for wheelchairs, which saves a bunch of time for everyone. You still load in the rear where the exit is. Just pull up to the bus stop and wave to the driver as he approaches. A 2 second wave, head nod signalling system and he closes the exit door, opens the under floor ramp and you drive on to the designated wheelchair spot. (Passengers exit via the same ramp.) Park your chair against the backboard and everyone else boards the front. When you want off, you ring the bell (or let the driver know what stop you're getting off). Driver deploys the ramp, off you go with everyone else, wave thank you to the driver and you're off.

The only one you are competing with are those with strollers (buggies). It's fast, efficient and no one has reason to complain.

I always did think it weird that the US requires wheelchairs be tied down while bus riders are given flimsy handholds to keep their balance. I joke every time on Disney busses that if this thing flips over, I'll be looking at everyone upside down while they're splattered on the ceiling.

 

[BillSears]

BroganMc,

Baltimore City buses are similar. The entrance is at the front though because you still have to pay at the box in the front. The bus driver lowers a ramp, I think they may fold up a seat at the front and you just roll right in. You do not get strapped in. This works fine for me since I can hold onto the hand rail/pole while we move. But I can see that sharp turns might be a problem for those who can't hold on.