Moment disabled woman in wheelchair forced off bus after mums 'refuse' to fold up buggies
The internet has been left divided after a disabled woman argued with two 'selfish' mums for refusing to move their buggies to get her wheelchair on the bus only to be forced off by other passengers.
Maria Whitefield was on her way to a hospital appointment on 17 October when she tried to board the 432 Arriva bus.
The woman, who hails from West Norwood, London, said: "I was on my way to the hospital, I wanted to board the bus and the driver had put the ramp out.
"In London we only have one space. It was made law by the supreme high court that wheelchairs have priority.
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"In this case there were two buggies on the bus, I was half on half off the ramp trying to board, no one was helping."
She continued: "I asked them to fold their buggies. I said 'look on the floor, there's a sign that says it's a wheelchair priority area'.
"I was sitting there filming the situation. No one was speaking up for me or helping me. We weren't going anywhere for about 20 minutes."
Maria said that while other passengers acknowledged she had priority, they ultimately asked her to get off as she was holding up the bus. As a result, she was forced to wait 18 minutes for the next bus and missed her hospital appointment.
By law, wheelchair users have priority over the space as it is the only place they can travel safely.
TFL have since apologised to Maria and said that wheelchair users have priority access to the priority area.
Maria said: "The driver is meant to enforce that law. They have an announcement they can make on the bus to say the wheelchair area is required and can the passengers please make space.
"The driver didn't want to do anything, in the end I just had to give in. Traffic couldn't move, we were at a standstill.
"It happens quite frequently, I'm sick of this happening day in and day out.
"People need to take a step in my shoes. I don't choose to be in a wheelchair, I can't fold my wheelchair, they can fold their buggies up."
After Maria shared the video of the incident on TikTok, people have been left divided.
One wrote: "The wheelchair user can't go anywhere else. The mother can go somewhere else. It's as simple as that."
Another commented: "The sign literally says 'buggy users please make space for wheelchair users'."
And a third added: "Can't believe the bus driver did not say anything to move them."
On the other hand, a fourth user was quick to pen: "If I got there first, I'm not folding up my pram."
Bec Oakes