Wellington Buses and the disabled

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MikeB4

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#136462 28-Nov-2013 08:53

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9450473/Disabled-and-dismayed-by-rude-bus-drivers

I have experienced this many times in the city. I always thought it would be easier for a trip across town to use a "disabled ready" bus than loading my chair on the car driving then unloading etc etc etc But no it is easier to battle with my car

Wellington bus service is terrible.

stevenz

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#941999 28-Nov-2013 09:16

Complaints against their drivers seem to fall on deaf ears too. Some of them are terrible.

I wonder what happened to the driver monitoring systems they were supposedly going to be installing.

@KnightNZ

BlakJak

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#942019 28-Nov-2013 09:29

My wife frequently uses public transport - she doesn't drive so this has been the case for years.
The stories she has to tell are staggering, especially moving about with our two young kids.
It really makes me sad that nothing changes.

No signature to see here, move along...

MikeB4

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#942042 28-Nov-2013 09:46

It has worsened in the last couple of years

MikeB4

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#942044 28-Nov-2013 09:49

I believe the drivers and the Bus companies need to be held responsible.

kiwitrc

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#942055 28-Nov-2013 09:59

stevenz: Complaints against their drivers seem to fall on deaf ears too.

Oh the irony

MikeB4

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#942057 28-Nov-2013 10:05

Unfortunately this type of thing is not just with buses, I have been asked not to come into a restaurants and some shops.

MikeB4

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#942210 28-Nov-2013 12:43

The NZ Bus web site
http://www.nzbus.co.nz/passenger-assistance

"Passenger Assist

Our drivers are trained in disability awareness "

It would be interesting to sit in a driver session

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BigMal

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#942225 28-Nov-2013 13:16

I tried catching the bus with 2 small children. The bus driver accelerated to warp speed before we could sit down. I hate them.

Bung

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#942258 28-Nov-2013 13:51

Complain directly to the Regional Council rather than individual bus companies.

"

Metlink will record any comments you may wish to make about your public transport journey and follow up with the appropriate operator.

Fill in one of our online feedback forms.
Call Metlink on 04 801 7000 or 0800 801 700.
Email info@metlink.org.nz.
Write to Metlink, Greater Wellington Regional Council, PO Box 11646, Wellington 6142."

Bee

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#942262 28-Nov-2013 13:57

I definitely agree that this is completely unacceptable...

Just wanted to add that at least one bus company does it right... I catch the bus everyday for the last 4 years and any time we have elderly passengers, or young children or disabled passengers the driver always seems to help them if they don't have someone else to help them and patiently waits for them to be seated before moving again...

And this is West Auckland... Its really not hard to be nice to people on your bus is it? after all they are all paying customers and it is your job to get as many passengers on your bus as possible and give excellent service to all of them...

Doing your best is much more important than being the best.

MikeB4

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#942317 28-Nov-2013 14:55

Bung: Complain directly to the Regional Council rather than individual bus companies.

" Metlink will record any comments you may wish to make about your public transport journey and follow up with the appropriate operator.

Fill in one of our online feedback forms.
Call Metlink on 04 801 7000 or 0800 801 700.
Email info@metlink.org.nz.
Write to Metlink, Greater Wellington Regional Council, PO Box 11646, Wellington 6142."

unfortunately complaining is like mopping up water with a piece of wood.

Bung

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#942338 28-Nov-2013 15:25

Depends on the wood. You can make quite a useful bucket out of plywood.

Some bus routes have very good drivers. Maybe the problem is also the other passengers that are prepared to let the driver get away with boorish behaviour. They live in your suburb.

gehenna

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#942350 28-Nov-2013 15:46

I get the bus every day. I purposely go the opposite direction to the city than the "quicker" bus, because it means I can get on the bus first and get a seat at the back. I can't fit at any of the other seats so the only other option is to stand, which is annoying when doing it every day. I'm 6'4" and the busses just don't cater for tall people. The distance between the chair in front of me, and the back of the chair I'm in, is much less than the length of my femur - so what am I supposed to do? I have to take up about 1.5 seats just to fit my legs in.

It's way worse now than it used to be. I thank my lucky stars when I get an old diesel bus that has some semblance of leg room. The new busses are the worst, there is very little leg room at all AND the seats are moulded so i can't even sit in them without the angles stabbing my in the arse and back.

Honestly I have a more comfortable time on an airplane - that's saying something!

MikeB4

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#942356 28-Nov-2013 15:51

Bung: Depends on the wood. You can make quite a useful bucket out of plywood.

Some bus routes have very good drivers. Maybe the problem is also the other passengers that are prepared to let the driver get away with boorish behaviour. They live in your suburb.

I don't use buses where I live, I use them in the City if I have to. However after the experiences I have had I struggle with my car or use a taxi.