COMPLETE BAN ON MOBILITY SCOOTERS ON THE METRO SYSTEM

[WILMA (aka Julia)]

Hi All,

Its recently been highlighted in the news4 incidents where scooter users have manage to somehow go straight through the opposite doors on the metro causing all sorts of problems, delays bla bla bla. However the higher powers have now decided on a complete ban on ALL mobility scooter users on the metro system and somewhat removed our right to be independent and travel!

I recently got a scooter and this opened up a whole new world for me as I had been stuck in mon - fri while hubby was at work and taking my scooter on the metro meant I could get about with a friend without having to rely on david taking me in the car!

It also gave me the confidence to do so which I struggled with in the early days of getting my scooter!

So, im in the process of collecting a petetion and have started a support group to see if we can get anywhere close to having this ruling turned around!

What are you views on this good or bad?

Many thanks in advance!

Julia xxx

[Jill]

Hi

I think it is wrong to ban the disability scooters on the metro. Do you know why they have brought in the ban because it sounds like disability discrimination to me. When you say the metro do you mean your local trains? Or is it all over the country?

Bye for Now
Jill

[Leslie Wilson-Rutterford]

Absolutely ludicrous! What is wrong with those people? In London, the underground only has a few wheelchair accessible stations and most have stairs inside, which totally rules out wheelchair users. I accept that the stations were built before society acknowledged disabled people, but most have lifts of somekind, which should be adapted. It just does my head in how unenlightened our society still is. My heart goes out to you and others with mobility problems.
All the best,
Leslie

[Jill]

Hi

Going round with Azzi I notice things have improved with the disability access law a few years ago but even so even though shops and so on have to leave room for wheelchairs they often leave only just the room needed and it is hard to get through often. One pub had steps to get in and steps to get to the bar. Azzi can walk a bit so we walked and left the wheelchair near the door. Then an officious staff member complained that the wheelchair was getting in the way! Well what did they expect us to do?!

By the way Leslie I can't see you on the latest activity. You havn't got yours turned off have you?

Hope all goes well.
Bye for Now
Jill

[Azzami Bell]

I know I don't get out as much these days as I used to, but I thought I knew enough of whats going on to notice a whole new transport system! I'm confused as to what the 'metro' system is. (Last time I was in Paris theirs was still intact and in its usual home. Has it wandered? Have we swapped it for all those animals we export?)

If you refer to what I knew to be the 'tube' network, then I agree. -Its wrong to ban scooters from those parts of the network they can access, apart from at rush hours of course.

I'll sign.

(Jill is buying me/us a scooter, but I don't think its range would get it from Brighton, East Sussex to Merton in Surrey, some 50 miles or so!)

[WILMA (aka Julia)]

Hi again,

quick update,

Yeah metro is kinda like the tube, its transport on rail to the local towns in the tyne & wear area. And they have banned us ALL! Its getting reviewed apparently in 6 months but Im not holding my breath!

Its literally put a lot of peoples freedom on hold as they would use the metro to get from one town to another and into the bigger cities too!

Im just anooyed as they dont stop all activity on anything else when someone has a misshap!

Very annoying and frustrating!

So im compiling a petition and its doing the rounds so once I get it back it will be forward to anyone here who wishes to support me in trying to get the ban lifted!

Ive been out today on my scooter but as its raining here at the moment I got soaked AGAIN which is another thing the ban had stopped...I used to be able to get the metro to several towns where the shops are in a Mall, undercover so regardless of the weather I could still get out!

Never mind Im hoping that if enough of us get together and appoint a solicitor we may have a case as Im sure the ban is again the DDA!!

Hope your all well!!

Julia xxx

[Jill]

It certainly sounds to me like it is against the DDA. I would be glad to sign your petition as well.

Bye for Now
Jill

[Azzami Bell]

I never thought it possible! I know the London tube quite well and remember commuting. Even then there weren't many journeys that could be made without the use of stairs cos of not-working lifts and escalators. Seems to me it'd be a great idea to have special carriage areas for scooters & wheelchairs. I'll vote for it and if it weren't 50 or more miles away I'd use it!

[WILMA (aka Julia)]

Thanks Azzami,

Yeah a carraige just for us would be great, lets face it we still need to be able to get out like everyone else and for that to be taken away from us Im sure is against the DDA.

Thanks for your support and hope your enjoying your new found freedom on your scooter x

[Azzami Bell]

I was reading about an ardent cyclist & his probs with public transport, trains in particular. Apparently its the same accross almost all Europe.
Only Italy has time-tables marked for cycle access surprisingly with a bycicle symbol!
Almost everything about UK transport is beyond farce! I'll bet the 'ban' you refer to is technically illegal on 'discriminatory' grounds if nothing else!

We might be enjoying just knowing we almost had one, but I fear we're a long way from having the actual thing. Apparently the courier firm went tits-up so there's a bunch of inept, sticky-fingered oportunist cowboys left to sort out the firm's mess.
So Jill phones several times daily & gets a selection of 'promises' & lies...

-Much like ev'rything else these days... (Don't y'sometimes feel like kickin' back!)

[Jill]

Hi

Yes apparently Amtrak went bust and their post was taken over by a company called Business Post who then lost the address on Azzis scooter. After many delays and promises of delivery I am now told another one is being sent for Friday. Can't wait to see Azzi going up the chip shop on his own and bringing me a fish cake supper so watch this space!

I think we may have some access problems along a bumpy path to contend with as well before we are finished!

Bye for Now
Jill

[WILMA (aka Julia)]

Oh now theres a nice thought.....fish supper yum!!

Yes I also have probs with the workmen not putting the barriers straight on the paths and end up weither turning back or bumping up and down curbs which isnt good for our scooters!! lol

Mmmmm I smell the vinegar from here lolol xxx

[Jill]

Hi

I am promised a new one has been sent out and it will arrive tomorrow now. But I will believe it when I see it!

Hope all goes well.

Bye for Now
Jill