York woman ‘barred from buses’ (From York Press)

York woman ‘barred from buses’

3:10pm Friday 3rd April 2009 in Sorted By Richard Harris

Helen Barrow, who uses buses to get to voluntary jobs in York. Picture: David Harrison

A WHEELCHAIR user says she is being stopped from travelling on buses in York because drivers are refusing to use the ramps on the grounds of health and safety.

Helen Barrow, 30, of Eastfield Crescent, Badger Hill, has dystonia, a chronic neurological condition that causes painful spasms and muscle contractions.

Miss Barrow, who is due to get married in two months, has an electric wheelchair, but has to travel several miles from her home to Brunswick Organic Nursery in Bishopthorpe, the Priory Centre and Age Concern, where she works as a volunteer.

But drivers of the bendy buses are refusing her entry on the grounds of health and safety, because they say the ramps are too heavy and they need a hook to lift them safely, which they have not yet been provided with.

She says the only alternative is for her to try to jump the gap in her wheelchair – not a practical option as its top speed is only 4mph.

In fact, it is only due to the kindness of other passengers that she has not been left stranded at bus stops.

She said: “Facing the world as a recent wheelchair user isn’t easy, and it takes time to build confidence. The general difficulty of getting on and off buses and trains has taken some getting used to, but using public transport has previously enabled me to gain some independence back.

“However, being repeatedly refused access to a bus while everyone else in the queue jostles by you because a hook is needed to lift a ramp down each time leaves me more demoralised, embarrassed and invisible, hampering my getting home, getting to work or meeting friends.”

She said First in York had previously assured her that drivers would now be able to use the ramp, but despite these assurances she said they were still refusing her entry.

But following the intervention of The Press, First promised there would be no problem in the future and, as of first thing today, all buses would be fitted with the necessary hooks. David Philips, service delivery director for First in York, said: “We acknowledge the fact that Helen Barrow has encountered recent problems with our Park&Ride service and have apologised directly for the inconvenience this has caused.

“The issues raised related to concerns over the health and safety of our drivers with regard to lowering the ramps on our articulated vehicles to enable wheelchair access.

“However, this issue has now been resolved and we will be contacting Helen Barrow in person to assure her and all customers that our park and ride services are fully accessible to wheelchair users.”