Standing room only on buses

[Hugpug]

I am sorry I don't think they should allow standing on the buses IMHO It is so easy for someone to fall. Last year I got on one bus and the driver was just plain reckless. I yelled out believe me so everyone heard me. If I had fallen I assure you someone would be paying my doctor bills. I sent a letter to Disney about that driver and the reckless way he was driving.

 

[missminniemouse]

In May I had my 87 year old grandmother with me. There were several times that we boarded a bus that was standing room only. People were very generous in giving her a seat every time. If there was seating available, she sat and I always had DS age 6 sit on my lap. One one occasion, it was clear that the bus was very, very full...even for those standing...so we waited for the next bus. We've generally had good experiences with Disney buses over the years, but DH still likes to rent a car and drive to the parks (except MK) when he is along on the trip. In May we had no choice since I was there with just grandma and DS. I'm not big on driving myself, so we made the best of the situations presented us. A big "Thank You" to the considerate people who did give up their seats to my grandmother. I know she was somewhat embarrassed by this, but it was definately much safer for her to have a seat.

 

[luv2mickey]

My DH always gives up his seat for any children and any women young, old, holding baby or not. I guess we are old fashion but I believe he is a true gentlemen and a great example to our thirteen year old son(who will also be giving his seat up now that he is a young man).

 

[tjmw2727]

Totally agree. Of course I'm not meaning people with disabilities, blah blah blah. But at the end of the day, we're all tired, we want to get back to our hotels, a little kindness goes a long way. If you have a disability, fair enough, if not, then it'd be nice to spread a bit of pixie dust amoung other Disney peeps

Agreed and my dd's and I always stand if we can, other times we squish three in a two seater and we do it because we want to. I do take issue when people board a full bus and expect those who boarded first to give up a seat. Again let me choose when I want to spread my pixie dust its the expectation of a seat on a full bus that IMHO isn't reasonable.

FWIW I think your dismissal of people with disabilities and your "blah blah blah" statement is more rude than people who stay in a bus seat they waited an extra bus for.

TJ

 

[Torjohnson]

this is an interesting dilemma, as many years ago, my lovely wife, very able bodied, was standing on a crowded tube train in London. It was hot and she was dressed in layers(not a problem in Florida). I stood many people away from her and watched her as her eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed. It was, to this day, one of the indelible moments of my travel life...
I will, with my arthritis, give up my seat to anyone who may need, but I will suggest she try to find a seat because, frankly, it"s not a memory I would like anyone to have.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Agreed and my dd's and I always stand if we can, other times we squish three in a two seater and we do it because we want to. I do take issue when people board a full bus and expect those who boarded first to give up a seat. Again let me choose when I want to spread my pixie dust its the expectation of a seat on a full bus that IMHO isn't reasonable.

FWIW I think your dismissal of people with disabilities and your "blah blah blah" statement is more rude than people who stay in a bus seat they waited an extra bus for.

TJ

I was not meaning to be rude. I was not "dismissing people with disabilities". I'm merely saying that I find it completely acceptable if someone has a disability and cannot give up a seat for that reason. Surely you agree with that?
What I'm referring to with the "blah" statement, is to get my point across that I am not being rude about disabled people, before anyone jumps down my throat about it.
Believe me, I know a heck of a lot of people with disabilites. My grandfather has disabilities, and is currently at this very moment, dying from it. I would never dream of being rude about such a thing . I think you've completely judged my post in a unfair way.

 

[vhoffman]

I expect my post will generate a lot of flames, but I've received flames before so its nothing new.

If you can't ride the bus, don't. If yu're elderly, disabled, have small children or a baby in a stroller, the bus is not for you. Don't get on the bus and expect the seated passengers to be polite and give up their seats. For all you know, they might need their seats just as much as you so. Don't count on being in a "protected category" that will generate you any special consideration. Get a taxi. Yes, taxis are expensive, just budget for it. Believe me, you'll be happier.

Before the flames get too intense, let me explain that I am disabled. I have arthritis, walk with a cane, and have great difficulty getting up and down the bus steps (usually dh helps), and have very poor balance. I would be inviting disaster if I chose to stand on a bus. Once I took the bus at Disney, it was almost empty, as I was making my way to my seat the driver started abruptly without warning. I fell against the seat. My dh caught me or I would have been seriously injured. Since then I refuse to use the Disney bus system. And, yes, they do tend to slam on the brakes. So, I repeat, if you physically aren't able to stand on a bus, forget it. Even if there's seats available, you could have a mishap like I did.

We recently returned from a trip to Hawaii. There's an excellent bus system all around Oahu that's efficient and inexpensive, however, I wouldn't even consider it. What if the buses coming back were standing room only? Don't count on courtesy and kindness from your fellow man. We just took taxis everywhere. Expensive? Yes, but a rent car, gas, and parking aren't free, either, neither is a trip to the ER. Stop whining about how people "should" be courteous and give us their seats. Expect it not to happen, and plan to take care of yourself. I'd rather depend on my own pocketbook to provide me with safe transportation rather than the "kindness" of strangers. That's just my view of reality, take it or leave it!

 

[CheapMom]

I have to say- I have never been on a crowded wdw bus where I wasn't or my kids weren't offered a seat by some kind stranger. Likewise I always have the kids sit on my lap or offer my seat to someone who looks like they need it more than me.
Once when I was at wdw I had recently broken a toe and you couldn't tell by looking at me but I really did need a seat at the end of the day - so don't be too quick to judge who is the most deserving of a seat by their looks. I would still hold my kids on my lap though.

 

[studog100]

If you felt so strongly about it like it sounds you do...why didn't you make an announcement on the bus and ask why everyone is so rude? See your reaction unfold. Why wait after the fact and complain about it where you get nowhere?

 

[DeterminedOne]

I don't know if this has already been mentioned, but I have a peeve with someone knowingly boarding a standing room only bus, then expecting someone else to give up their seat. I absolutely do not understand this! The buses run every 20-30 minutes, so if it's imperative that you sit, wait for the next bus.

 

[english rose 47]

: Just wanted to get my 2 cents in.We will have 2 young adults 1 5 year old and 2 regular adults a stroller for the 5 year old wwho adds new meaning to Go till you drop. He will undoubtedly fall asleep waiting for the bus in the stroller,so he will be a very BIG babe in arms . Now I am a Senior , DD has severe back problems, so to stand and hold him would be torture not to mention dangerous as either one of us could collapse, my age is obvious butt DD 's disability isn"t so would I feel resentful for no seat being offered you bet I would. Now if we had seats and Somenone in a needy situation didn't I'fd be up in a heartbeat and so wouls the kids. DD i would make keep her seat

 

[Rafikifan]

Last week I saw ALL kinds of behavior. There were a lot of men (including my dh) that volunteered their seat whan a person who needed to sit (i.e. an elderly person, a woman with children etc.). I was happy and I gave up my seat too, even though I was tired too. I also saw (case in point) young men in their teens and/or early 20's who wouldn't offer their seats to those people. We also boarded a bus that as you boarded LOOKED full but there were a couple of about 7 - 8 year old boys in their seats with their feet up on the one by them so nobody would sit there, and a family (or group of some kind) that had taken the whole back portion of the bus taking up 2 to 3 seats a piece up to I guess "save" them having someone sit near them. When I saw that I spoke to my family and those that thought they had to stand and said, "There are plenty of seats back here." The bus driver told them to claim one seat only and my dh and sons still chose to stand but there were a few older ladies who got to come back and sit down. Now, that to me was wrong but of course I got ugly looks from the people who wanted to sit alone. Oh well.

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

Stop whining about how people "should" be courteous and give us their seats. Expect it not to happen, and plan to take care of yourself. I'd rather depend on my own pocketbook to provide me with safe transportation rather than the "kindness" of strangers. That's just my view of reality, take it or leave it!

EXACTLY!!! AMEN

We always rent a car, I hate busses, and I especially hate the Disney Bus System. I have been on the bus when it was crowded and empty. Either way, hate it. I would wait for a seat on an empty bus or take the chance to stand. I have two small children and while one is still an infant and needs to be in my arms, my kids will ALWAYS have their own seat. If you want your own, wait like we did. Dont expect anything from anyone else. Plain and simple.
I'm sure this thread will be locked soon, but gotta love bus threads!

 

[fac]

They could clearly see that it was unsafe for me to be standing.

Arielsleepingbeauty, Probably it is not fair to direct to you. I couldn't help but wonder why did you or other posters get on the bus then? and to put your baby in danger?


I saw a number of posts stating people not giving up seats as rude and selfish. I am a mother with young kids too, but I was brought up to know that putting people in uncomfortable situation is rude and selfish.

 

[Evil Queen]

Last week I saw ALL kinds of behavior. There were a lot of men (including my dh) that volunteered their seat whan a person who needed to sit (i.e. an elderly person, a woman with children etc.). I was happy and I gave up my seat too, even though I was tired too. I also saw (case in point) young men in their teens and/or early 20's who wouldn't offer their seats to those people. We also boarded a bus that as you boarded LOOKED full but there were a couple of about 7 - 8 year old boys in their seats with their feet up on the one by them so nobody would sit there, and a family (or group of some kind) that had taken the whole back portion of the bus taking up 2 to 3 seats a piece up to I guess "save" them having someone sit near them. When I saw that I spoke to my family and those that thought they had to stand and said, "There are plenty of seats back here." The bus driver told them to claim one seat only and my dh and sons still chose to stand but there were a few older ladies who got to come back and sit down. Now, that to me was wrong but of course I got ugly looks from the people who wanted to sit alone. Oh well.

If folks were purposely saving seats to have extra room, then by all means you should say something. I see nothing wrong with that. And good for you.

 

[fac]

Arielsleepingbeauty, Probably it is not fair to direct to you. I couldn't help but wonder why did you or other posters get on the bus then? and to put your baby in danger?

I saw your response on not knowing it is a full bus. I do expect there are situations like this, but I assume it is uncommon. As if someone were the first to get on a stand only bus, there will be plenty of time to get off the bus, and if someone were not among the first to get on the bus, it will be obvious to see people standing. Probably lesson learned would be not to get on a bus when you are not sure whether it is full. It is better to be safe with a baby.

I am suprise to see mothers holding babies to run to a bus. Disney transportation is different because there is always an empty bus within 10 to 15 minutes wait.

 

[disneynewbee]

I would never get on a packed bus expecting someone else to give up there seat to me. On our last trip we had a small child and if the bus was full we waited for the next one. If you get on a standing room only bus, expect to stand. If you don't want to stand, wait like we did. Even when we wait for a bus we do still condense seats to make room for others. On our last trip we had me, dh, dd11yo, bil13yo, and the baby. My dd and bil shared one seat and I held the baby on my lap. Dh got up and gave his seat away when the bus got full but I don't think that should be expected. When you get on you can see there is no seat, if you have a small child or are elderly don't get on, the next bus comes in a matter of minutes. Personally I don't even think standing should be allowed on buses, it is flat out dangerous. Imagine the disaster if there was a serious accident. On our next trip it will be me, dh, dd13yo, dd4yo, and dd almost one. I will put one of the little ones on my lap and my 13yo dd will do the same, dh will be standing again if it is crowded.

 

[NotUrsula]

Would it be too much to ask for parents to have a child sit on your lap and allow someone else a seat?

Generally speaking, it is safest to put a child that size in a seat. If they are small enough to lap-sit, they are probably not big enough to hold on and keep their balance very well whilst standing in a moving bus. The normal practice in such situations (normal on urban transit systems, that is) is that the *parent* stands in front of the child (or more commonly, children), giving the seat that the parent would otherwise occupy to that person who needs it. The same number of seats remain occupied as in your suggestion, but the child is safer. Now if the parent is disabled, obviously the parent says seated, too, and everyone else just has to deal.

 

[tjmw2727]

: Just wanted to get my 2 cents in.We will have 2 young adults 1 5 year old and 2 regular adults a stroller for the 5 year old wwho adds new meaning to Go till you drop. He will undoubtedly fall asleep waiting for the bus in the stroller,so he will be a very BIG babe in arms . Now I am a Senior , DD has severe back problems, so to stand and hold him would be torture not to mention dangerous as either one of us could collapse, my age is obvious butt DD 's disability isn"t so would I feel resentful for no seat being offered you bet I would. Now if we had seats and Somenone in a needy situation didn't I'fd be up in a heartbeat and so wouls the kids. DD i would make keep her seat

In your case I would recommend not boarding a bus that is standing room only and waiting to be first or near first in line for the next bus. Otherwise expect for most of your party to stand. If that isnt' an option consider grabbing cab if your leaving a park duriing peak times or renting a car so you can come and go as you please with seats for all.

I have no problem giving my seat up if I can stand and or sharing with dd's. I do have a problem with people who board a full, standing room only bus and expect me to give up my seat. You don't know how many full buses we have let pass in order to get our seats and or why we may choose to remain in our seats. I give others the benifit of the doubt and hope for the same.

Honestly if I see a tired couple with a kid asleep in a stroller board a full bus I think - what are they thinking? Why not leave the kid in the stroller sleeping and wait for the next bus where you know you will get a seat? Don't carry the "babe in arms" on the full bus, wait for the next! It really is as easy as that.

TJ

 

[zookeeper]

I would never get on a packed bus expecting someone else to give up there seat to me. .

I think you hit the nail on the head with that statement. Too many people board an already standing-room only bus assuming that others will not be "rude" and will give up their seats. The impression I get from reading any given number of threads on any topic in these boards is that if someone doesn't do what you would do (or want them to do!) then they must be ignorant, uncultured and unfit to travel the world (WDW that is )

FYI people...just because someone does something differently then you would it doesn't necessarily make them wrong. It makes them different.

PEACE PEOPLE!!!