DEPUTY council leader Steve Cardownie today called for a "common sense" solution to Lothian Buses' controversial ban on prams.
Pressure is mounting on the council-owned transport firm to abandon its policy of ordering drivers to refuse to carry mothers with rigid prams to ensure there is space for wheelchairs.
The company insists the move is to comply with the Disability
Discrimination Act, but it is the only major bus operator in Scotland to enforce such a strict ruling.
Mothers have started a letter-writing campaign, and today the Evening News has printed a petition coupon to allow everyone to have their say.
Cllr Cardownie today said he was perplexed by the situation, and called for drivers to be allowed to use their own judgement.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," he said. "I would have thought this was a matter of common sense. I have certainly seen more people on the buses with prams than in a wheelchair.
"But, of course, parents choose to put their child in a traditional pram and wheelchair users don't have a choice. So if a driver lets a mother on, and three stops down the road a wheelchair user gets on, the wheelchair user should take priority.
"That requires goodwill on the parents' behalf, but I'm sure most parents would understand the situation, and there would also be pressure from other passengers."
Disability groups have also called for a similar "common sense" approach.
However, it is known that drivers have reported several instances where mothers have been asked to leave a bus to make room for a wheelchair user, but refused.
Lothian Buses recently posted pictures in all its bus depots informing drivers which type of buggy to let on. The information is also available on its website. 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.
A group on social networking website Facebook, called Mums need to use Lothian Buses too, has so far attracted around 90 members, who have all been urged to write to the firm.
Close to 50 letters have so far been received by the company, which a spokesman said were split 50/50 over the ban.
Caroline Burgess, 27, one of the campaigners, said: "We're starting a letter-writing campaign. We've asked everybody in the (Facebook] group to write. We never really wanted this to become a big issue, but we just want them to come to a better agreement.
"I think now's the time for Lothian Buses to back down and say they're sorry, they've made a mistake."
Edinburgh West MP John Barrett has also written to the firm, asking managers to allow prams and non-folding buggies to use the space when not occupied by a wheelchair.
But Lothian Buses has insisted its policy is in line with anti-discrimination legislation.
A spokesman said: "In order to ensure that wheelchairs can be accommodated on our vehicles, we are unable to carry prams as they cannot be folded.
"We can, however, carry one unfolded buggy if the wheelchair space is unoccupied."
'They've treated me unfairly'A MOTHER has criticised Lothian Buses' refusal to give her a full refund for her season ticket, which she says she is unable to use due to the pram ban.
Caroline Burgess, 27, from Barnton, says she is "disgusted and appalled" by her treatment after writing to cancel her direct debit.
Although the bus company has agreed to waive a £20 cancellation fee, she still has to pay for the Ridacard up to August 11.
But she says she has been unable to use it since the ban was enforced in mid-July.
She said: "I feel they have treated me very unfairly.
"I have only used the card a handful of times since the ban on prams was enforced."
She added "This whole situation has caused me a lot of distress and upset. I have been unable to see friends and get around the city with ease."
Stephen Ryan, Lothian Buses' commercial manager, said he was sorry Mrs Burgess felt she was had been treated unfairly.
The full article contains 716 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
