True or False: Bus Drivers Help Load Scooters onto the bus?

[Ms. WDW]

I'm trying to validate this statement incase my friend might need to rent a scooter for a recent foot injury when we're in WDW 5 weeks from now. And while the plan is NOT to rent a motorized scooter, should she need one for the day, she's very concerned about taking the bus to the MK.
Any insight to this "comment" I read somewhere else on this board would be greatly appreciated.

 

[siskaren]

They have to. The scooters have to be secured on the bus, and I wouldn't expect guests to know how to do it.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I apologize. I should have been more specific. I read that now, the passenger just drives up the ramp and takes a seat. Then the bus driver maneuvers into the spot instead of having a passenger struggle with the scooter if they are not familiar with driving it.

 

[joelkfla]

Drivers will assist by providing direction to the Guest on driving onto and off of the bus, and into the wheelchair slot.

Drivers are not required to move or handle the scooter, other than securing it (and the Guest, if the Guest is unable or unwilling to transfer onto a bus seat.)

Many drivers will roll a scooter into the slot if a Guest requests them to do so, or even proactively offer to do it. But they are not required to physically move the scooter.

Often, another member of the Guest's party who is a more confident driver will take over maneuvering the scooter onto the bus.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Drivers will assist by providing direction to the Guest on driving onto and off of the bus, and into the wheelchair slot.

Drivers are not required to move or handle the scooter, other than securing it (and the Guest, if the Guest is unable or unwilling to transfer onto a bus seat.)

Many drivers will roll a scooter into the slot if a Guest requests them to do so, or even proactively offer to do it. But they are not required to physically move the scooter.

Often, another member of the Guest's party who is a more confident driver will take over maneuvering the scooter onto the bus.

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[jdb in AZ]

It takes a lot of practice to "parallel park" an ECV on a bus. Often it's simpler for the bus driver to take matters into his own hands and park it for you -- saves time and aggravation.

 

[Ms. WDW]

It takes a lot of practice to "parallel park" an ECV on a bus. Often it's simpler for the bus driver to take matters into his own hands and park it for you -- saves time and aggravation.

That's basically what I read on that thread. Makes sense. I've seen many buses delayed due to passengers having a hard time loading.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I've been on buses where the driver has orally directed the scooter driver, but has told the scooter driver that they can't park it or operate the scooter themselves. We were on a bus once where the scooter asked the driver to just park it himself, and the driver refused and told the person riding the scooter that she had to park it herself or get off the bus. So it really depends on the driver.

Of course, the driver always preps the bus and secures the scooter, but I've personally never seen a driver help manipulate a scooter into position.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I've been on buses where the driver has orally directed the scooter driver, but has told the scooter driver that they can't park it or operate the scooter themselves. We were on a bus once where the scooter asked the driver to just park it himself, and the driver refused and told the person riding the scooter that she had to park it herself or get off the bus. So it really depends on the driver.

Of course, the driver always preps the bus and secures the scooter, but I've personally never seen a driver help manipulate a scooter into position.

Sure glad the bus drivers we've encountered have been kinder than the ones you described. I've been helped several times.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Sure glad the bus drivers we've encountered have been kinder than the ones you described. I've been helped several times.

I can see both sides. It is not a part of their job to park them. Honestly, I have seen many an ECV driver who should not have been allowed to rent one...IMHO. It isn't that hard to park one on an empty bus. it's just like parallel parking a car. You have to be able to parallel park a car in our state to obtain a driver's license. I think people should have to be retested every now and again!
When it does become difficult is when other guests that are already on the bus decide to be inconsiderate and won't move at all including their feet... Then I say you get what you deserve for being inconsiderate.

 

[siskaren]

You have to be able to parallel park a car in our state to obtain a driver's license. I think people should have to be retested every now and again!

I think I had to parallel park when I got my license, but I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've done it since then, and I've had my license for over 30 years. Actually, I hate to parallel park, and I've rarely encountered a situation where parallel parking was my only option.

 

[mousey]

That is so true that the drivers are all different and have their own way of loading and securing the scooters. We encountered this a few weeks ago in Ft. Wilderness. The first driver at the parking area, was the nicest guy and told me to drive up the ramp and he would do the rest. After breakfast when we were returning to the parking lot, the second driver wasn't as nice. I could tell by the look on her face that she was irritated when she saw the scooter. She was the most unhelpful driver I have ever encountered in my life. Other than operate the ramp, she gave no direction what so ever. When we got to our first stop, another scooter was there and she tried talking them into waiting for another bus. They didn't and, of course, the guy had a terrible time trying to parallel park to her liking.

 

[Ms. WDW]

That is so true that the drivers are all different and have their own way of loading and securing the scooters. We encountered this a few weeks ago in Ft. Wilderness. The first driver at the parking area, was the nicest guy and told me to drive up the ramp and he would do the rest. After breakfast when we were returning to the parking lot, the second driver wasn't as nice. I could tell by the look on her face that she was irritated when she saw the scooter. She was the most unhelpful driver I have ever encountered in my life. Other than operate the ramp, she gave no direction what so ever. When we got to our first stop, another scooter was there and she tried talking them into waiting for another bus. They didn't and, of course, the guy had a terrible time trying to parallel park to her liking.

That's a shame. That driver was just not a nice person. See, it's the stories like that which makes me very nervous about getting a scooter if we needed to! &.

 

[joelkfla]

That's a shame. That driver was just not a nice person. See, it's the stories like that which makes me very nervous about getting a scooter if we needed to! &.

But you really needn't be nervous or embarrassed. Just take your time and do the best you can -- you'll get it well enough in time.

And if you feel other Guests are acting impatient or shooting dirty looks, just remember: it's their problem, not yours.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I can see both sides. It is not a part of their job to park them. Honestly, I have seen many an ECV driver who should not have been allowed to rent one...IMHO. It isn't that hard to park one on an empty bus. it's just like parallel parking a car. You have to be able to parallel park a car in our state to obtain a driver's license. I think people should have to be retested every now and again!
When it does become difficult is when other guests that are already on the bus decide to be inconsiderate and won't move at all including their feet... Then I say you get what you deserve for being inconsiderate.

I parallel parked a car on the right side of the street in driver's ed. Parking an ECV on the left side of the aisle on a crowded bus with a hostile audience is a whole other animal.

FWIW we stay at WDW hotels on the monorail line so we can avoid as many buses as possible. Also, you don't need a bus to get around Disneyland, so that's even better.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I parallel parked a car on the right side of the street in driver's ed. Parking an ECV on the left side of the aisle on a crowded bus with a hostile audience is a whole other animal.

FWIW we stay at WDW hotels on the monorail line so we can avoid as many buses as possible. Also, you don't need a bus to get around Disneyland, so that's even better.

I actually can't remember the last time I parallel parked! Haha...maybe I should practice just in case? But seriously, I'm not anticipating the need for a scooter. But I'll do what I need to do.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I'm trying to validate this statement incase my friend might need to rent a scooter for a recent foot injury when we're in WDW 5 weeks from now. And while the plan is NOT to rent a motorized scooter, should she need one for the day, she's very concerned about taking the bus to the MK.
Any insight to this "comment" I read somewhere else on this board would be greatly appreciated.

If you friend plans to do a one day rental from the park (rather than an offsite company) she will not be taking the scooter on the bus, as the rental area is just inside MK gates (unless there is one at the TTC?)

 

[Ms. WDW]

If you friend plans to do a one day rental from the park (rather than an offsite company) she will not be taking the scooter on the bus, as the rental area is just inside MK gates (unless there is one at the TTC?)

Yes, we were thinking about that too. I'm sure that it's all going to be good. Thanks for the suggestion!