Loading Through the Buses Back Door?

[aubriee]

I just returned from WDW (May 3rd-10th). On three different mornings the buses filled, so I purposely waited for the next bus, to make sure I would have a seat. On all three mornings an ECV pulled up with their small party (two-four people). They were boarded first (which they should be), but then there would suddenly be a mad rush with people jumping on through the back door. On only one occasion did a driver stop them and make them board through the front door, behind those of us who were standing patiently at the front door waiting. On one occasion the driver was reaching to push the button to close the door, when a large group came running up and started jumping through those back doors. The driver hesitated for only a moment, before he went ahead and waved them on, while the rest of us (who had been waiting there much earlier) were stuck waiting in line by the front door. So obviously the drivers saw what these people were doing, but chose not to say anything. If it had happened just once, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but this happened on three different mornings. Have the rules changed, as far as nonwheelchair parties being allowed to board through those back doors? It was really annoying to those of us who had been there a long time and were trying to board through the front. I was at POFQ, by the way.

 

[KPeveler]

I believe that if a person cannot climb stairs, but does not use a wheelchair/ECV, such as a person with a knee injury, that person is allowed to use the ramp or lift in the back of the bus. Also, up to 5 people are allowed to accompany the person in the wheelchair. However, these are the only people, to my knowledge, who should be entering at the ramp in the back of the bus... Sue or Cheshire should be able to clarify this, however...

 

[Carnator]

I don't think they are suppose to load through the back except those with the W/C, ECV or someone that can't climb the front steps. After I load my ECV, my family is allowed on. The bus driver is always by the back door.I witnessed a few times people did try to sneak or mob there way on (especially and the end of the day at MK) the bus drivers were very stern about not letting them on. So unless things have recently changed I don't think it is allowed.

 

[terri01p]

It isn't allowed...isn't there a sign on each bus stating not to load thru the back, only the front ?

 

[SueM in MN]

It isn't allowed...isn't there a sign on each bus stating not to load thru the back, only the front ?

There is a sign on the door (or possibly more than one.
If someone is not able to load thru the front door, they need to talk to the bus driver first and get it cleared.
It is very dangerous to load from the back door if the bus driver has not OK'd it. Bus drivers have told us that they can't see people getting into the back easily and can easily close the door on someone. They do have mirrors, but the mirrors are adjusted so the driver can watch people get out, not get in. Drivers have also told us they get out of position fairly easily - we've actually seen kids purposely hitting/moving the back door mirrors.

I saw a little girl get the door closed on her once. We had gotten into the bus already and the driver had fastened DD's wheelchair down. In that bus, the driver needed to go back to the front to close the back door. While he was up there, a man came to the back door with his DD - who he was urging to get on in front up him, while he carried a very large stroller. I told him that the door was open because a wheelchair had just been loaded and that it was not safe to board there. He gave me an "I've got a big stroller and it's easier for me to board, so I am." My DH, meanwhile was on his way up to tell the driver. As the dad urged the little girl to get on, the door shut.

On our last trip, there were about 8 people who got in the back door while the driver was busy fastening DD's wheelchair down. They bypassed a large group that was waiting at the front door to load. The driver gave them a lecture, pointed out the sign and made all of them get off and get into the line to board. he scared them enough that when we got to their stop and the driver opened the back door to let them out, every one of them walked to the front to get out (even the ones sitting in the very back seat).

 

[Selket]

I saw this happen on our trip over Easter/Spring Break this past March at POFQ. It wasn't after a chair was loaded through the back though - seems like the doors were just open to let people out and before he could shut them I guess people were coming through the back door - while the rest of us were in line to go in the front. The bus driver didn't try to stop them and I think the responsibility falls to the driver. If they don't enforce that rule then more people will just get frustrated and try going in the back. I realize the drivers probably just want to get going and avoid the confrontation.

I gotta say I didn't see it happen but once or twice the whole week.

Sometimes the driver didn't pull all the way into the bus stop at POFQ too - even though nothing was there - I thought that was odd. So the back of the line became the front of the line. I think the bus drivers just like to mess with us....

 

[dclfun]

I wish they'd enforce the rule about how many guests can board with someone in a w/c. We were at Pop last September. I was the first w/c in line and another guest was behind me. We were both boarded and our chairs tied down when a family ran up and insisted that they be allowed to board as their daughter had a manual w/c but could sit in a regular seat with the chair folded. This wasn't the problem....the rest of the guests with this young woman kept coming, and coming. The "leader" started laughing and saying they were a Grand Gathering and wasn't it great that they had a "w/c person" so they could all sit down after breakfast since they were too full to stand. By the time they finished boarding the whole back of the bus and middle were filled with their family while others who were holding children patiently in line didn't get a seat. I guess it wouldn't have bothered me as much if these guests had also been waiting but they ran out of the food court at the last minute then smugly commented they all got to sit every time since they had a w/c guest in their party. Not one of the men in their party offered a seat to the elderly or parents holding small children and standing....sigh.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

Those are the people who make other guests mad,who then take it out on the 'reasonable' people with wheelchairs and ECVs.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Those are the people who make other guests mad,who then take it out on the 'reasonable' people with wheelchairs and ECVs.

Boy do I have to agree with that. Mom and I both use an ECV and when we were down in December every bus driver required us to move to an empty seat. We were the ones that were looked down on. I always have my DH stand if there is someone that needs a seat. It makes him mad (his mother didn't teach him any manners), but I don't care, he is able to stand.

Suzanne

 

[mechurchlady]

Boy do I have to agree with that. Mom and I both use an ECV and when we were down in December every bus driver required us to move to an empty seat. We were the ones that were looked down on. I always have my DH stand if there is someone that needs a seat. It makes him mad (his mother didn't teach him any manners), but I don't care, he is able to stand.

Suzanne

Wheelchairs can be tied down but it is very hard to secure an ECV and they are top heavy. One careless driver and the bus is careening and fishtailing while passengers are flying. The ECV being so top heavy can tip over in an emergency situation. That is why drivers will ask ECV users to take an empty seat. My mother has been hurt on a public bus E-stop and I nearly got throw into the windshield of a public bus whose driver slammed to a stop.

If people glare are you then glare back or tell them the facts. "I have to sit in this seat because ECVs are top heavy and could easily tip over in an emergency." Never fell bad for doing something unless what you are doing is wrong like eating your 10th chicken wing or using a chocolate shake to finger paint on the bus, lol. Never let what people MIGHT think affect your life because they MIGHT NOT even give a hoot about you.

 

[cmwade77]

When we were there in August, we had an ECV and while we were all allowed to board before anyone else, the bus drivers usually made the rest of the group wait while my wife put the ECV on and we all had to go through the front.

 

[dclfun]

It sounds like there isn't as much consistency as there should be but I can imagine drivers get tired of dealing with demanding guests. As Sue witnessed, people are determined to do what they want, often without regard for rules or safety. It's the entitlement, "me-first" society that we're becoming and that I detest. For the person whose daughter got caught in the door- I hope they didn't ask for or receive "compensation" since they were the ones who caused the child to be hurt and they were told not to enter the back doors. To me the ramp busses are so much easier and safer with better visibility- I hope eventually that all the older lift busses are replaced.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

Once the seat is folded up to make room for a wheelchair or ECV, you can see a sign that is on the underside of that seat. Here's what it says:

That sign is visible even when an ECV is parked there.
As mechurch lady wrote, the reason for moving is safety, because the ECV is 'top heavy' and narrow and could tip. Even if the driver ties it down as well as possible and is a careful driver, situations sometimes happen that mean a sudden stop.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The manual on my ECV states that I should not sit in the ECV when it is in a motorized vehicle. If I am in a bus I will always transfer to a regular seat. If I am in a monorail I will not transfer as nothing the monorail train does is abrupt as well as I will be holding onto a pole.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Wheelchairs can be tied down but it is very hard to secure an ECV and they are top heavy. One careless driver and the bus is careening and fishtailing while passengers are flying. The ECV being so top heavy can tip over in an emergency situation. That is why drivers will ask ECV users to take an empty seat. My mother has been hurt on a public bus E-stop and I nearly got throw into the windshield of a public bus whose driver slammed to a stop.

If people glare are you then glare back or tell them the facts. "I have to sit in this seat because ECVs are top heavy and could easily tip over in an emergency." Never fell bad for doing something unless what you are doing is wrong like eating your 10th chicken wing or using a chocolate shake to finger paint on the bus, lol. Never let what people MIGHT think affect your life because they MIGHT NOT even give a hoot about you.

I know why they asked us to move to a seat, I don't want to be injured when the ECV takes a tumble, believe me, I have enough problems with this knee without an ECV falling on top of it and the rest of me. I have been asked to stay on and have done it, but was given a seat belt after the ECV was tied down, but it just still doesn't feel secure.

I have learned not to care what others think, they can't see inside my knee to see what is looks like. I have also learned a few catch phrases from the wonderful people her on the DIS that I will kindly use if needed. Usually I end up talking to a friendly family and don't pay attention to other people. I have to remind mother to do the same. She won't feel quite as awkward this time, since she has a cane. I always tell her not to worry about what stupid people say, they may not be able to walk someday and they will be sorry they looked at you funny.

Suzanne