Disabled woman from Eccles refused access to wheelchair ramp by Arriva bus driver
05:00, 18 November 2021
updated: 15:40, 18 November 2021
A disabled woman has hit out at a bus company after one of its drivers refused to put an access ramp down for her to get on the bus.
Arriva has been criticised by disabled rights worker Anna Morell after she was told only people in wheelchairs could use the ramp.
Watch the moment a disabled woman is refused access to a ramp
Ms Morell, from Eccles, near Maidstone, has chronic leg pain and was using a walker when she tried to get on the 155 bus.
She captured a five-minute dispute where she was told by the driver he could not lower the ramp as it was for "wheelchairs only".
At one point the charity worker can be heard saying: "I need the ramp down for me because my legs don't work," while the driver stayed in his cab and refused to do anything.
After an exchange of words he decided to ring his depot and had a short conversation before eventually leaving his seat and putting the ramp down for Ms Morell and letting her on the bus.
Speaking about the incident she said: “This is a common occurrence on Arriva buses. The driver could clearly see I had difficulties walking.
“I have chronic pain, and cannot get on a bus without the ramp being lowered.
“It beggars belief that in this day and age disabled people still have to deal with the stubborn, wilful ignorance of companies which should be drumming into their employees the basic premise of the Equality Act, which is that if disabled people need them to make a reasonable adjustment to help us go about their daily business, they do it.
"No questions, they just do it. All Arriva buses have manual ramps. It’s not difficult.
“You wouldn’t believe how many times this happens. It’s deeply upsetting, immensely frustrating and utterly exhausting.”
Arriva has revealed it is investigating the issue.
A spokesman said: “We’re investigating this as a matter of urgency, with our depot team."
