Bus talks fail but mums insist it's not the end of the road

PARENTS today vowed to continue fighting despite Lothian Buses' refusal to back down on its controversial prams ban.

MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville described talks held with bus company bosses yesterday as "disappointing", but vowed they would not give up their campaign.

Parents criticised the company's "unresponsive" attitude after trying to find a compromise by urging bosses to allow prams on board, on condition they vacate the wheelchair space if required.

But the bus company insisted that buggies were only allowed on provided they could be folded. The policy is not new, but the company only began strictly enforcing it in July.

Now parents say they will be taking their fight to the Scottish Parliament. More than 1000 people have already signed their petition. Ms Somerville, who represents the Lothians for the SNP and has a two-month-old daughter, said: "It was very disappointing that they don't seem to even want to find a compromise or a way forward.

"The mums were very keen to work with them to find a solution to the benefit of everyone. It's unfortunate that they turned the offer down.

"I think they're the only bus operator with this policy in the UK.

"It's disappointing that for the first time Lothian Buses is not leading from the front, and welcoming people on to public transport.

"They don't seem to understand mums with babies under six months can't use the buggies that they're suggesting.

"This policy will make new mums very isolated. It's also unworkable – there are a huge number of' types of prams and buggies, and it's unreasonable to expect drivers to know which ones are allowed on.

"I would still hope Lothian Buses will reflect on the meeting and change their minds.

"The campaign is going on and this isn't the final word."

The MSP was joined by three mothers as well as David Hunter, the city council's former accessible transport manager, at the meeting.

He had argued that the introduction of low-floored, accessible buses had been designed to help all the community, including elderly people and parents with young children.

Catriona Black, one of the leading campaigners, said: "It was very disappointing, but this is not the end of the road. We'll take the issue straight to the Scottish Parliament and beyond.

"We're interested to see if this contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights. In terms of gender equality, this is an issue that largely affects women."

Caroline Burgess, 27, from Barnton, added: "Lothian Buses were absolutely unreceptive. We proposed we'd help them with an educational campaign which would look at passengers having consideration for other people, and vacating the space for a wheelchair.

"We will be seeking legal advice from the highest possible level. We think parents with children and young babies are being unfairly excluded."

A Lothian Buses spokesman said: "I can confirm that a meeting has taken place with Lothian Buses and a parent delegation led by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP. This was a useful opportunity to explain our policy which is designed to provide the maximum benefit to all users of Lothian Buses' services."

Drive on to keep essential routes
COUNCIL chiefs have released details of the under-threat Lothian Buses services they want to save.

Officials have identified the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to Gyle number 18 service, and the number 13 Blackhall to city centre service as among the essential routes it wants to keep going.

Nightbus services N16, N26 and N44 would also be given a six-month reprieve under the £124,000 plan.

The package will be discussed by councillors next Tuesday.

The council-owned Lothian Buses wants to axe or cut back a total of 16 loss-making routes by October in the face of falling passenger numbers and big increases in costs.

The administration had previously ruled out proposals to pump £300,000 into subsidising the under-threat services, claiming it had no money to do this.

Council chiefs had also asked Lothian Buses to look again to see if it could save money on staffing levels or the number of new buses it leases to prevent the cuts, but the firm said this was not possible.

Lothian Buses is facing a steep rise in employment costs of £2.7 million, due to the need for more drivers for the extra buses it needs for the tram diversions. The diesel bill has also risen by £1.95m.