Bus Rant

[Tony NY]

I have recently had a bad experience with Disney Transpiration. I was recently dined boarding on a bus that had no more than 6 people on it. I kid you knot. The driver told me and my farther we had to take the next bus the people did not want to move and that was that .. I was in a powerchair and my dad was in a scoter. I can see if the bus was full I hade to wait for the next bus but it was not.. so the next bus comes I get on it and the following bus my dad on it.

While waiting at the magic kingdom for my dad I was talking to one of the driver and he told me that they can only ask and the can't make someone give up their seats even if their was room on the bus for them to move.

needless to say I Have never been so mad.. this is coming from someone who the next night did not cut the line seeing the q was so packed and seen a another child in a powerchair with their family go and waited for next bus.


thank you disbords for letting me rant

 

[disney david]

I have recently had a bad experience with Disney Transpiration. I was recently dined boarding on a bus that had no more than 6 people on it. I kid you knot. The driver told me and my farther we had to take the next bus the people did not want to move and that was that .. I was in a powerchair and my dad was in a scoter. I can see if the bus was full I hade to wait for the next bus but it was not.. so the next bus comes I get on it and the following bus my dad on it. While waiting at the magic kingdom for my dad I was talking to one of the driver and he told me that they can only ask and the can't make someone give up their seats even if their was room on the bus for them to move. needless to say I Have never been so mad.. this is coming from someone who the next night did not cut the line seeing the q was so packed and seen a another child in a powerchair with their family go and waited for next bus. thank you disbords for letting me rant

The drivers was right to a point the ada dose not require them to make anyone move except for seats that have ties downs unless the guest refuse to move the driver not going to push the issue. It would be quicker to wait for the next bus if the driver can't get them to move by asking they supposed to call for a manager holding the bus and when they arrive they will try and then security will be called holding the bus longer then it would take for Disney to get you a new bus. While it seemed unfair and it was the time it take them to move if they didn't listen to the driver the first time would be longer then it would for the driver to ask for another bus. Sorry you had that happen hope you can move on and enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

The driver can ask them to move, but not force them.

So, if he actually asked and they said no, he can't make them.
We have fun across some situations where the driver did not ask and just told us "there are people sitting there. I can't make them move."
Even though he was quiet, the people overheard and did move.

 

[Tony NY]

The drivers was right to a point the ada dose not require them to make anyone move except for seats that have ties downs unless the guest refuse to move the driver not going to push the issue. It would be quicker to wait for the next bus if the driver can't get them to move by asking they supposed to call for a manager holding the bus and when they arrive they will try and then security will be called holding the bus longer then it would take for Disney to get you a new bus. While it seemed unfair and it was the time it take them to move if they didn't listen to the driver the first time would be longer then it would for the driver to ask for another bus. Sorry you had that happen hope you can move on and enjoy the rest of your trip.

I did thank you it was more the point that people just being selfish and I did not let it ruin my trip I just had to get it off my chest and thank you for your reply david

 

[Tony NY]

The driver can ask them to move, but not force them.

So, if he actually asked and they said no, he can't make them.
We have fun across some situations where the driver did not ask and just told us "there are people sitting there. I can't make them move."
Even though he was quiet, the people overheard and did move.

my dad said the driver did not want to pick us up I hope that was not the case... I'm sorry you had the simmer experience susM as I did I just thought it was a flulike

 

[disney david]

I did thank you it was more the point that people just being selfish and I did not let it ruin my trip I just had to get it off my chest and thank you for your reply david

I get it they was wrong they should of gotten up their no excuse when their other seats available. I like to think the driver did ask and was not that he didn't want to load you. I think they put or putting cameras on the buses since they put signs on the side of the bus eating guest they my be video taped for their safety. So hopefully that would cut down on driver refuse to take guest because now Disney can go and look and see how many people was on the bus and if the driver looked like he asked. And be able to review other complaints but not sure if every bus will have cameras putting cameras inside kinda a new thing with public transportation a lot more city's are doing it and finding it helps. So I guess Disney decide to join in and out them in to protect the driver if something happens and to protect guest also if something happens they have video.


Again those guest should of moved their was no reason not to and hope the driver did ask don't want his to ruin your thought of Disney transportation buses. Most of the drivers are great and care and yes their see some bad apples that ruin it for the rest.

 

[darthtatty]

Im quite lucky as theres 3 of us. Usually I will go and ask the people to move, I think as its a disabled child, they are more sympathetic.

We had a situation at BB, we were just leaving when it started to rain and we heard the announcement they were closing the park.
We got to the empty bus stop and waited for the bus, by the time it arrived there were about 20 people waiting and more coming. The driver told us to wait for the next bus but we refused, saying the park had just closed and if any other ecvs or wheelchairs show up, there wouldn't be room and it would cause longer waits.

Sometimes the drivers are very unhappy with having to deal with wheelchairs & ecvs.
However sometimes they are amazing-
One time we were at the bus stop at DHS for CR. There were already 2 ecvs waiting, so we thought we'd be on the next bus. The driver told everyone in the queue, he was going to get everyone on but it would take some time. He put my sons wheelchair on 1st (it was easier as smaller and left room for the 2 ecv's to get on too) Everybody in the queue got on too. When we were nearly at the CR, he reminded everyone that he would have to unload the wheelchair & ecv-it would take some time but we'd all get home
I think keeping everyone informed and being very friendly made everyone relax and fine with the situation.

 

[Schmeck]

If there are already people on the bus, I'm assuming the pick-up was at a resort that has a loop?

If this is so, then to avoid this situation it is always best to go to the first bus stop in the loop. We usually ask to stay in that first section of the resort. For example, at CBR, the buses pick up first at either Jamaica or Martinique. So, if I had an ECV or wheelchair, I'd definitely ask to stay in one of those sections.

If the pick-up was at a park, or a one-stop for all resort, then the ECV/wheelchair needs to be loaded first (for safety) and since others were already on the bus that couldn't be done. Sounds like people were there ahead of you, and were getting on the bus.

 

[mukorasirish]

I have been disabled for 5 years - Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and a compromised immune system. I do not use a scooter or wheel chair. After being in the parks there are times I am in pain. I have been sitting in the handicapped seats and been asked to move. I hate saying no as I know what is to come - horrible looks , nasty comments and general crappy attitudes all in front of my three children who know that mommy lives her life daily in pain. For me the pain of getting up and moving after settling down is many times unbearable. Imagine walking on red hot coals. As most of the people in their chairs are not in the pain I'm in - I stay put and politely say no.
When I am sitting I do not look like I am disabled. But I am. I live my life in pain daily. So maybe we don't move because of a disability you don't see. On top of what I live with on a daily basis I also very frequently incur the wrath of other disabled people who think I'm just lazy or inconsiderate.
Just something else to consider.

 

[utterrandomness]

I get it they was wrong they should of gotten up their no excuse when their other seats available.

To provide another perspective, I have some kind of connective tissue disorder. I cannot stand on the bus, but I also have to sit in the inward facing seats because it is too painful for me to brace with my feet (I'm also too short for my feet to reach the floor easily). On top of that, when the driver puts on the brakes, I slip forward and smack my (already extremely painful) knees off the seat in front of me. Those seats are the only ones I can use to ride safely. Should I have to get off the bus to make room? Because that's what I have to do if I cannot get one of those seats. Wheelchair users and ECV users aren't the only ones who need those seats.

 

[disney david]

To provide another perspective, I have some kind of connective tissue disorder. I cannot stand on the bus, but I also have to sit in the inward facing seats because it is too painful for me to brace with my feet (I'm also too short for my feet to reach the floor easily). On top of that, when the driver puts on the brakes, I slip forward and smack my (already extremely painful) knees off the seat in front of me. Those seats are the only ones I can use to ride safely. Should I have to get off the bus to make room? Because that's what I have to do if I cannot get one of those seats. Wheelchair users and ECV users aren't the only ones who need those seats.

Every single bus in the us including Disney has signs posted by federal law by the seats with tie you must ice your seat up. So you know ahead of time not to sit at those seats if you can't get up. The other seats have signs asking for you to get up so if you can't then you can't. Each bus has only two spots some have three and a few have four so by federal law guest in ecv and wheelchairs every right as you do to have a place in the bus. On most buses Disney use have Inward facing seats Exocet for the back row and a two seats behind the driver on the nova. If you can't get up then you can't the driver has to ask by federal law now if their another seat open ten you should get up and move. As the op described having only six people on the bus so they had plenty of room to move to other seats before other people got on. So that why I said they should of moved if it was full and they couldn't move then it up to the driver to call for another bus for the ecv it wheelchair.

 

[livndisney]

I have been disabled for 5 years - Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and a compromised immune system. I do not use a scooter or wheel chair. After being in the parks there are times I am in pain. I have been sitting in the handicapped seats and been asked to move. I hate saying no as I know what is to come - horrible looks , nasty comments and general crappy attitudes all in front of my three children who know that mommy lives her life daily in pain. For me the pain of getting up and moving after settling down is many times unbearable. Imagine walking on red hot coals. As most of the people in their chairs are not in the pain I'm in - I stay put and politely say no.
When I am sitting I do not look like I am disabled. But I am. I live my life in pain daily. So maybe we don't move because of a disability you don't see. On top of what I live with on a daily basis I also very frequently incur the wrath of other disabled people who think I'm just lazy or inconsiderate.
Just something else to consider.

I understand how you feel. I have made a similar point in the past and I was told those seats are for those in wheelchairs and ecvs. I think most buses now have two different signs-one that says "disabled" and another one that says "these seats must be given to those in wheelchairs". It has been pointed out to me that we were "wrong" to sit in those seats since someone may need them more than we do.

 

[Granny square]

It isn't a "need more" but a case of those being the only places to load a wc. A bus is full of seats for people who don't need that space.

 

[livndisney]

It isn't a "need more" but a case of those being the only places to load a wc. A bus is full of seats for people who don't need that space.

Wheelchairs are usually folded-not tied down. The person boards, folds the wheelchair and sits in the now vacate seat.

 

[clanmcculloch]

To provide another perspective, I have some kind of connective tissue disorder. I cannot stand on the bus, but I also have to sit in the inward facing seats because it is too painful for me to brace with my feet (I'm also too short for my feet to reach the floor easily). On top of that, when the driver puts on the brakes, I slip forward and smack my (already extremely painful) knees off the seat in front of me. Those seats are the only ones I can use to ride safely. Should I have to get off the bus to make room? Because that's what I have to do if I cannot get one of those seats. Wheelchair users and ECV users aren't the only ones who need those seats.

It isn't a "need more" but a case of those being the only places to load a wc. A bus is full of seats for people who don't need that space.

I think you're missing utterrandomness' point. If the only available inward facing seats are the ones with tie downs, why should she have to give up her seat? Those are the only seats available to her as well. If she was already on board, should she be forced to get off the bus so that somebody else can get on? Her need is exactly the same as the person in the ECV or powerchair so it's no different than if she was in one herself and boarded before the person wanting that spot.

I personally try to make sure we choose different seats than the ones with tie downs just because when I do manage to actually get a seat I like sitting. With my DD13's knees and ankles getting the way they are, I'm not sure she'll be able to maintain her balance properly on a moving bus going forward in which case I'll have to make sure she can get a seat. If we've waited our turn so that she can sit and the only available seat is one over a tie down spot then she'll sit there (again, she'll sit elsewhere if there are other seats but if there aren't then that's where she'll sit). If somebody else needing that spot comes along in an ECV or powerchair after she's seated, I'm not letting my DD move because she has just as much of a need and she's already there.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Wheelchairs are usually folded-not tied down. The person boards, folds the wheelchair and sits in the now vacate seat.

The one trip we used a wheelchair, it wasn't until I think it was our second last day at WDW (I think that one was a 12 night trip) that a bus driver mentioned that option. All the other drivers just automatically started tying it down. I wish I had have known but I didn't and nobody mentioned it to me. They can be folded and not tied down but I wouldn't say usually.

 

[disney david]

I think you're missing utterrandomness' point. If the only available inward facing seats are the ones with tie downs, why should she have to give up her seat? Those are the only seats available to her as well. If she was already on board, should she be forced to get off the bus so that somebody else can get on? Her need is exactly the same as the person in the ECV or powerchair so it's no different than if she was in one herself and boarded before the person wanting that spot.

I personally try to make sure we choose different seats than the ones with tie downs just because when I do manage to actually get a seat I like sitting. With my DD13's knees and ankles getting the way they are, I'm not sure she'll be able to maintain her balance properly on a moving bus going forward in which case I'll have to make sure she can get a seat. If we've waited our turn so that she can sit and the only available seat is one over a tie down spot then she'll sit there (again, she'll sit elsewhere if there are other seats but if there aren't then that's where she'll sit). If somebody else needing that spot comes along in an ECV or powerchair after she's seated, I'm not letting my DD move because she has just as much of a need and she's already there.

Their not the only forward facing seats they only take up six seats the rest are free to sit at.

Op now you know why that driver didn't make those guest move after awhile the driver give up. Why should they fight the other guests to get then to give up the seats.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Their not the only forward facing seats they only take up six seats the rest are free to sit at.

Op now you know why that driver didn't make those guest move after awhile the driver give up. Why should they fight the other guests to get then to give up the seats.

You're still missing the point. Sometimes they ARE the only available seats. And, it's not like anybody participating in this discussion would ever object to being asked by a driver. Everybody around here would be polite and simply explain that unfortunately I,she,he,whomever NEEDS that seat and unfortunately can't move if they're unable to so again, no need for the driver to not at least ask. Nobody is talking about fighting and it's insulting to suggest that if somebody has a different situation than you that we're just arguing.

In the OP's case, yes the driver should have asked them and yes I can't imagine that they couldn't have chosen different seats when first sitting down since there were only 6 people on the bus. We're discussing more than just OP's situation.

 

[mukorasirish]

I understand how you feel. I have made a similar point in the past and I was told those seats are for those in wheelchairs and ecvs. I think most buses now have two different signs-one that says "disabled" and another one that says "these seats must be given to those in wheelchairs". It has been pointed out to me that we were "wrong" to sit in those seats since someone may need them more than we do.

And who says they need the seat more than I do? Here is an example of what I go through. I was on a bus and it was fairly close to being full. There were empty seats - at the back of the bus. An EVC pulled to the stop AFTER I had been sitting. They asked me to move. I said no. I had stood in pain and waited for the bus. To move meant getting up, climbing the step up in pain, shuffling to the back and sitting. Then it would mean coming back down to get off the bus causing me more pain. In front of my family and all around I was verbally berated. So yes - I looked like a *****y uncaring person to the person in the EVC and the people that came after I loaded. But to my family, the bus driver, and the others around me that saw me struggle to get on the bus - they understood. I admit - I will ignore the signs that say I have to move if I am in pain but only if the other handicapped seats are unavailable to me AND there is no EVC waiting to board while I am there. But if I get on and am sitting and an EVC pulls up - no I do not move. After standing in line in pain I will not give up my seat to someone that has just arrived. Their physical disability is no more important than mine.
BTW if I'm not in pain I'm the first one to get up and offer my seat to the elderly or a parent struggling to carry a sleeping child. Compassion drives me to do that but quite honestly I've received very little of that back. Just be aware that there are those of us out these who hurt - we just don't have the equipment that makes it immediately noticeable.

 

[livndisney]

And who says they need the seat more than I do? Here is an example of what I go through. I was on a bus and it was fairly close to being full. There were empty seats - at the back of the bus. An EVC pulled to the stop AFTER I had been sitting. They asked me to move. I said no. I had stood in pain and waited for the bus. To move meant getting up, climbing the step up in pain, shuffling to the back and sitting. Then it would mean coming back down to get off the bus causing me more pain. In front of my family and all around I was verbally berated. So yes - I looked like a *****y uncaring person to the person in the EVC and the people that came after I loaded. But to my family, the bus driver, and the others around me that saw me struggle to get on the bus - they understood. I admit - I will ignore the signs that say I have to move if I am in pain but only if the other handicapped seats are unavailable to me AND there is no EVC waiting to board while I am there. But if I get on and am sitting and an EVC pulls up - no I do not move. After standing in line in pain I will not give up my seat to someone that has just arrived. Their physical disability is no more important than mine.
BTW if I'm not in pain I'm the first one to get up and offer my seat to the elderly or a parent struggling to carry a sleeping child. Compassion drives me to do that but quite honestly I've received very little of that back. Just be aware that there are those of us out these who hurt - we just don't have the equipment that makes it immediately noticeable.

I think you missed the part where I said "I understand".