Dawe joins calls for Lothian Buses to rethink prams policy

CITY leader Jenny Dawe today joined the condemnation of Lothian Buses' controversial ban on prams and said drivers should be allowed to use their discretion.

The city bus company is facing growing anger over its policy of refusing passengers with prams or buggies that cannot be folded.

Lothian Buses insists the move is to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, because it ensures there is space for a wheelchair.

However, politicians from various parties have already called for a "common sense" approach, believing that prams should be allowed on the vehicles if the space is unoccupied.

Parents have argued that in the event of a wheelchair user needing to board the bus, they would get off, ensuring priority was given to that person. However, bus chiefs say this would not happen in reality because parents are sometimes unwilling to disembark mid-journey.

Although the ban on prams is not a new policy, the issue came to the fore in July when drivers were told by the company to enforce it.

Cllr Dawe said today: "I think the (previous] situation where drivers used their discretion worked reasonably well.

"What I would like to see is Lothian Buses going back, and allowing their drivers to use their discretion. If there is space that hasn't been taken up by a wheelchair, they should allow the driver to decide (whether to let a pram on]."

The Lib Dem leader's views echo recent comments from her coalition colleague, SNP deputy council leader Steve Cardownie. He said drivers should be allowed to use their own judgement.

Mothers recently launched a petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for parents to have equal access to public transport, which has so far collected around 650 signatures. Cllr Dawe's intervention was today welcomed by the campaigners.

But, Nicki McIntosh Lewis, 26, an administrator and mother-of-two from Musselburgh, said she was not convinced that "driver discretion" would be the best solution. "We welcome anyone who wants to get involved," she said.

"But even with every politician on our side, it doesn't mean Lothian Buses has to do anything."

She added: "I don't think it would be fair to put the onus on drivers. I think Lothian Buses should tell drivers to allow passengers with prams to use the space, but let the passenger know they will have to vacate it if a wheelchair user wants to get on."

Iain Coupar, marketing director for Lothian Buses, said the firm carries an average of 300 wheelchair users each day. "Our policy is unchanged," he said. "There have been no changes to the terms of carriage. We're not saying no to buggies, prams or pushchairs, it's when they can't fold down."

Traditional prams and those with rigid shopping trays are completely banned, while "travel systems" that can be folded are allowed on only if the bus is not crowded. Folding buggies, including twin buggies, should always be allowed on board.