Action Easy Access... Not!

Aurelius said :

PsydFX,
bowing and genuflecting are completely different movements.
Much as shaking someone’s hand and tickling their foot are different movements.
Sorry if multisyllabic words confuse you.

You’re probably right, but let’s see what happens if i type “Genuflect the most profound form of bowing” into Google. Weird only 24,000 resluts confirming it is a bow.

And yes, obviously I tweaked the search paramters to suit my cause.

Aurelius said :

PsydFX,
bowing and genuflecting are completely different movements.
Much as shaking someone’s hand and tickling their foot are different movements.
Sorry if multisyllabic words confuse you.

they do for me.

PsydFX,
bowing and genuflecting are completely different movements.
Much as shaking someone’s hand and tickling their foot are different movements.
Sorry if multisyllabic words confuse you.

Doesn’t bow down and genuflect mean roughly the same thing – besides the obvious god reference?

Peterh,
I think it’s pretty clear PsydFX isn’t interested in the point you’re making. Or anyone else for that matter. They just want us to bow down and genuflect and declare them to be right.
I think you’re wasting your breath on this one.

But surely you must realise that it is impossible to cater to everyones needs, without removing a sense of independance.

I understand that.

The point I am trying to make is that the public transport system should be for all members of the public. parents with prams, elderly people with walking frames, disabled people in wheelchairs, etc, etc.

not just able bodied members of the public.

Action needs to ensure that they are catering for everybody, so that they can discover the pluses of buses.

peterh said :

every hour, most cases. BUT, if you miss the connector buses, it adds over an hour to your journey to the city. bugger for a meeting. I will stick to driving.

If you miss the bus, that’s your problem.

peterh said :

oh and PsydFX, I wasn’t quoting you to make some BS point, I was expressing my personal opinions about “Public” transport and the lack of equal services for all members of the public.
why should disabled people get lumbered with transport via a taxi, or carer?
The public transport system should be for all members of the public.
but they cater for all the public on public transport.

For a start – you misquoted me. I never said they should rely on those services. I said those services are available, and I also said that ACTION is not and will not ever be a suitable replacement for these services in some circumstances, i.e. for my mother when she was in a wheelchair where she would have had to wheeled herself 1km up and down hills to catch a bus.

I’m not throwing counter arguments for the sake of being argumentitive, I’m basing what i’m saying on personal experience.

PsydFX said :

Granny said :

I think Roma is smart enough to look up a timetable and figure out if there’s a bus she can catch, PsydFX.

Why are you so determined to defend the bus service?

FFS. I live in that area, and am very aware of the busses I need to catch.
To say that all service stops after 1030 is a lie.

as do I. perhaps roma means “services to the city” – you must admit, they stop after 10.30…

Hourly buses are ‘service’?

Completely impractical for real world use ….

I used to have to walk my child to and from preschool with a young baby for 15 mins in the rain each way or a total of 60 mins per day, because the hourly buses meant we’d have to wait pretty much that long at a bus stop with no shelter in order to take a 5 minute bus trip (and you can make that two hours in the rain when I was going to the local shops!)

PsydFX said :

shanefos said :

Mate, that is not at all what I was saying.
I think you’ve missed the point I was trying to make with this thread.

shanefos said :

Do you have a twin-pram, Mr Magoo? Ever tried getting one of those as well as two babies and a toddler on and off a bus that doesn’t have ramp access?
Then again, being vision impaired might be the key here, because you don’t have the extra pressure of surly bus drivers staring you down and grumbling about how long it takes you to get on and off.

I may well have missed the point of the orginal post, but it was the above comment that sparked my reaction.

Again, I think you missed the point of the comment you’re referring to.
Even Mr Magoo understood my comment was made with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Roma said :

Well, actually those buses run once per hour and only in the local region. Ie, Woden to Tuggeranong via Kambah. They dont run into the city, but that probably wouldnt help me anyway as I work at the airport. So, if I wanted to catch public transport home in the middle of the day, I would need to catch a bus to the city, then a bus to Woden, then wait for a bus to kambah, then walk fiftenn minutes from the bus stop to my house. Not to practical, im afraid. I think I will stick to car sharing for now, and then driving myself around next year 🙂

buy a hybrid. then the offset re carbon emissions will be lesser than the bus…

Granny said :

I think Roma is smart enough to look up a timetable and figure out if there’s a bus she can catch, PsydFX.

Why are you so determined to defend the bus service?

FFS. I live in that area, and am very aware of the busses I need to catch.
To say that all service stops after 1030 is a lie.

Well, actually those buses run once per hour and only in the local region. Ie, Woden to Tuggeranong via Kambah. They dont run into the city, but that probably wouldnt help me anyway as I work at the airport. So, if I wanted to catch public transport home in the middle of the day, I would need to catch a bus to the city, then a bus to Woden, then wait for a bus to kambah, then walk fiftenn minutes from the bus stop to my house. Not to practical, im afraid. I think I will stick to car sharing for now, and then driving myself around next year 🙂

every hour, most cases. BUT, if you miss the connector buses, it adds over an hour to your journey to the city. bugger for a meeting. I will stick to driving.

oh and PsydFX, I wasn’t quoting you to make some BS point, I was expressing my personal opinions about “Public” transport and the lack of equal services for all members of the public.

why should disabled people get lumbered with transport via a taxi, or carer?

The public transport system should be for all members of the public.

oh, and just for information, the “council” in Vic that looks after Sunbury, where my Father in Law lives is the city of Hume.

Hume’s population is almost 157,000 people. By 2030 the population is projected to be 242,605.

only a little council….

but they cater for all the public on public transport.

I think Roma is smart enough to look up a timetable and figure out if there’s a bus she can catch, PsydFX.

Why are you so determined to defend the bus service?

Roma said :

I live in Kambah and all bus services to and from that area stop after about 10:30am and dont start up again until about 4:30 in the afternoon. This means that, no matter what, I need to drive to and from work. At the moment my partner and I try to do the right thing by sharing a car but he starts at the crack of dawn which means I start at the crack of dawn. This is not going to be a practical solution for us in the long term and I intend to buy a second car in the New Year. Ultimately this will result in two people, driving alone in seperate vehicles, which is far from ideal, but really the only viable option due to there being NO buses to my suburb during off-peak hours.

Which part of Kambah is that, 60, 61, and 62 run through most of Kambah all day long.

BTW, I realise that my post above isnt about easy-access buses and is therefore completely off-topic, but I just thought I would take the opportunity to have a mini ACTION-related vent 😉

On the flipside, when I lived in Kingston I thought the buses were great – plenty of them, pretty friendly bus drivers, and always got me to where I needed to be. I guess you win some, you lose some.

I live in Kambah and all bus services to and from that area stop after about 10:30am and dont start up again until about 4:30 in the afternoon. This means that, no matter what, I need to drive to and from work. At the moment my partner and I try to do the right thing by sharing a car but he starts at the crack of dawn which means I start at the crack of dawn. This is not going to be a practical solution for us in the long term and I intend to buy a second car in the New Year. Ultimately this will result in two people, driving alone in seperate vehicles, which is far from ideal, but really the only viable option due to there being NO buses to my suburb during off-peak hours.

shanefos said :

peterh said :

bundybear, thanks for the clarification. really love it when there are people who can sort through the posts and find the common thread to the discussion.

you rock!

shanefos,

which side of town are you on? how old are your twins?
sorry for the Q’s, but my wife is asking.
(she is the local rep for CARMBA for Nth Tuggeranong)

oh and granny,

sometimes I think I know you, and not for the fact that you call yourself granny. I will sort it out eventually.

I’m in Belconnen. The twins are 6 months old and the toddler is 3 in a couple of weeks.

are you and your wife members of CARMBA at all?

If you are, I will probably see you at the CARMBA Christmas party in november…

shanefos said :

Mate, that is not at all what I was saying.
I think you’ve missed the point I was trying to make with this thread.

shanefos said :

Do you have a twin-pram, Mr Magoo? Ever tried getting one of those as well as two babies and a toddler on and off a bus that doesn’t have ramp access?
Then again, being vision impaired might be the key here, because you don’t have the extra pressure of surly bus drivers staring you down and grumbling about how long it takes you to get on and off.

I may well have missed the point of the orginal post, but it was the above comment that sparked my reaction.

Gosh! Hope I was nice.

: )

peterh said :

bundybear, thanks for the clarification. really love it when there are people who can sort through the posts and find the common thread to the discussion.

you rock!

shanefos,

which side of town are you on? how old are your twins?
sorry for the Q’s, but my wife is asking.
(she is the local rep for CARMBA for Nth Tuggeranong)

oh and granny,

sometimes I think I know you, and not for the fact that you call yourself granny. I will sort it out eventually.

I’m in Belconnen. The twins are 6 months old and the toddler is 3 in a couple of weeks.

PsydFX said :

Bundy, you post was well written and made very good points, but I do unfortunately feel that it is your opinion that I am somehow less than empathetic toward those living with disability. My reason for entering this debate was due to Shanefos with 3 children suggesting that someone who is vision impared with only 2 children is somehow better off.
I do apologise for suggesting that you were uninformed, but without that background information it did appear that you were making an ignorant comment.

Mate, that is not at all what I was saying.
I think you’ve missed the point I was trying to make with this thread.

bundybear, thanks for the clarification. really love it when there are people who can sort through the posts and find the common thread to the discussion.

you rock!

shanefos,

which side of town are you on? how old are your twins?
sorry for the Q’s, but my wife is asking.
(she is the local rep for CARMBA for Nth Tuggeranong)

oh and granny,

sometimes I think I know you, and not for the fact that you call yourself granny. I will sort it out eventually.

extraordinarily well said, Bundybear!!

Bundy, you post was well written and made very good points, but I do unfortunately feel that it is your opinion that I am somehow less than empathetic toward those living with disability. My reason for entering this debate was due to Shanefos with 3 children suggesting that someone who is vision impared with only 2 children is somehow better off.
I do apologise for suggesting that you were uninformed, but without that background information it did appear that you were making an ignorant comment.

Thank you, Bundybear! Your post was fantastic!
And thanks to everyone else that has posted constructive and relevant comments.
It’s great to know that there are people out there that actually understand and appreciate the point I was trying to make and people that can offer more than pointless, disparaging remarks.

Bundy you are awesome, and so is your post! Good luck with it all. Sing out if you need letters written or someone to cover your back!

: )

I have enjoyed indeed a most convivial evening, so if I ramble a tad, blame it on the namesake. And I’m happy to be corrected if I get my facts wrong or misquote/misread.

Points of clarification:

Nobody here hates bus drivers or rags on them, abuses them, etc. It is not their fault the system sucks. Asking a bus driver why he is not driving the declared style of vehicle is a pleasant interaction, merely designed to garner information.

Nobody has declared bus drivers to be unhelpful arseholes unless I missed a post, (I think the comment was downtrodden and disgruntled) nor has anyone blamed them, rather the comments seem to me to be a commentary on the changing nature of our society – where once people pitched in and helped, now they don’t, for a variety of reasons, some valid, some crappy. And the change impacts on how things work.

The critical issue at the core of this post is that Action promises a service they don’t deliver. No-one has demanded an additional or special service here (or that everything be tailored to them), they have pointed out that the service promised is not being delivered, and it impacts lots of people in lots of ways. It’s either Action or the ACT government or both who said discover the pluses of buses, and then failed to provide the service to back up the ad campaign. And then closed car parks to try and force people to catch buses, instead of providing a high quality service that enticed people to use it.

The OP took the precaution of checking with Action that they would be providing a specific service, and was assured that was the case. They then failed to provide that service, thereby causing the OP significant inconvenience. That’s the issue.

“A bus” is not better than “No bus” when you have a specific need to be met by a specific type of bus – very difficult indeed to step out of your electric wheelchair, and then drag it onboard behind you, when you have spastic quadriplegia.

This is indeed a problem of allocation as your own post specifies, read what you wrote @ 39.

You love the uninformed. Best give yourself a great big lovey-hug then, because you can’t be talking to too many on this post, certainly wouldn’t be directing your comments at me, the father of an independent, intelligent 28 year old man with cerebral palsy who requires a wheelchair for mobility, or me the disability support worker with ten years experience in the industry at most levels from direct care to management, or me the carer of a wife who died of cancer.

Community based organizations are terrific, but they have a number of major flaws. They are totally under-funded and cannot come close to meeting the demand placed on them. They can be a drain on the community in terms of resources when better resources for the broader community can often remove the need for some of the services they provide. And they tend to segregate people from the community rather than integrate them into mainstream society.

Action does not need to replace these services, but if they provide a proper service where they live up to the commitments they have made, they can minimize the need for them, with a huge number of follow on benefits. People catching buses is better for the environment than individuals in cars or cabs or community vehicles. People catching buses interact with their community, developing all manner of wonderful life skills from money management, to appropriate social interaction, to going to the movies with friends, just like the rest of mainstream society. Not just the disabled, kids learn this stuff too, but not when they are sitting in the family car.

3 children is not a disability, but it’s certainly a handful, and if you plan an activity based on promised resources that do not eventuate, they become a bigger handful, and you’ll probably source different resources for your next adventure.

Before ramps in buses, many people with disabilities didn’t catch buses, because they couldn’t. Which also often meant they didn’t get to go out at all, or at least had their lives seriously curtailed by the need for specialized transport? Also see Granny @ #49.

The real problem here is not that people expect individual attention or treatment, it’s that Action doesn’t meet it’s own standard or commitment to provide a specific service. I’d be happy for them to gradually increase the number of E/A buses, but that won’t make any difference if they don’t put them on the routes and at the times they say they are going to.

Use your car or catch a cab if you wish implies the financial resources to be able to do so, or the physical acuity to drive. The thought of T behind the steering wheel is beyond terror.

Sorry your mum was unwell and needed a wheelchair, but let’s be really clear; my wife in a wheelchair with cancer was still nowhere near as handicapped as my son. And there’s a heap of difference between being restricted for a few months or even years, to a lifetime disability. And if you called T a victim he’d slap you down sooner than you could spit in your hand. Same as most people with disabilities.

Yes indeed, let’s get the “Vegie buses” running again, so everyone can see all the tards going off to their special lives. Apologies for any offence given, but none meant, this is the terminology used to describe this system by those who needed to use it. It’s the most demeaning form of segregation around.

You keep missing the point FX, no-one’s complained about the number of E/A buses, although we’d love to see more. The issue is that a government owned and run monopoly offers a service, but fails to provide it. Even to the point of assuring a member of the public that the service will be provided at a specific time and place and then failing to deliver. That is not good enough.

And Peter H seems quite capable of working out his travel arrangements satisfactorily, if only the service he plans to use would provide the service IT OFFERS.

Action’s role is certainly to provide at least the service IT OFFERS to anyone who wishes to avail themselves of it.

It is now well past my bedtime and I have to get my very badly needed beauty sleep, so I apologize if I have failed to counter any arguments, please let me know if your feeling overlooked, and I’ll do my best to put things right. 😉

A final point, this is obviously an issue I feel quite strongly about, and I will definitely be lobbying all candidates about it. So you just let this one slip by Granny, got it covered.

I SOOOOOOOOOOO want to post but have to be at a function in 11 minutes and I still smell like a catfishes sphincter, so I also need to shower before I go. Probably a good thing that I have a little quiet time in a convivial atmosphere too, but I’m sure I can still come up with a head of steam when I get back. I will so very get back to you shortly!!

That sounds wonderful, ACT Light Rail!

It was neither helpful nor advice, it was someone on an open forum dictating how I should act in order to preserve some kind of reputation. I have no agenda here and I will offer and argue my opinions, just as you have.

The new light rail vehicles being introduced in Melbourne are designed to be low floor and have wide doors so that wheelchair and pram access is easy. coincidentally, low, wide door access also lets ordinary commuters enter and exit faster than the cattle run system used in buses.

The light rail stops are raised from ground level about a foot so that when the vehicle stops, it is level with the platform.

This is an attractive comfortable form of mass transit that has seen an increase in patronage.

If light rail was introduced into the ACT, the combination of a high speed light rail backbone, and the ‘easy access’ buses servicing the suburbs might make it easier for all people to rely on public transport. Many of the patrons who are forced to rely on public transport are what is known as ‘captive’ passengers and when public transport planners look at how to increase overall patronage, often these people are a core factor that arent considered (because they HAVE to use PT regardless).

I think a society can be judged by how it treats its most disadvantaged. Making a system comfortable for one group will always lead to improvements for all.

I really have to agree with Aurelius, here.

He was only trying to give you some helpful advice, and for all the bravado I think you would be wise to listen. Seriously, nobody has even started on you, but they will if you continue to come across as arrogant.

Aurelius said :

PsydFX said :

Are you always so aggressive?

If you think anything I have written to you thus far is aggressive, you’re far too precious, princess, to be around these parts for very long.

Haha nice, and we’ll see.

I do look forward to going toe-to-toe with you should the right post arise 😉

PsydFX said :

Are you always so aggressive?

If you think anything I have written to you thus far is aggressive, you’re far too precious, princess, to be around these parts for very long.

emmy-lou said :

Oh Granny, I wish you were my mum.

I could have no higher compliment, emmy-lou. Thank you so much for that!

: )

It’s great that you help the mums on the buses. Many of them would be sleep deprived, and just completely exhausted after a long day of shopping with toddlers and babies. Sometimes, lifting that pram the last time can make you want to groan out loud, not to mention having to find someone to hold the baby while you do it.

Good on you!

Aurelius said :

If you do not care what anyone thinks of your words, why say them?

What?

I cleary said that I do not care what opinions you form of me for expressing my opinions, never did I say I do not care what you think of what I have written.

Are you always so aggressive?

If you do not care what anyone thinks of your words, why say them?

“And as for the community based services – even though they are there they are so over loaded (and in some cases, under funded) to provide the service that Canberra needs.”

I think this is the real issue, and I don’t think making all ACTION busses Easy Access will change that.

Aurelius said :

PsydFX,
As you’re new here, I’ll let you in on a secret.
In a discussion forum, you’re judged on your words.
Yours have not done you a service thus far.

Pft, as if I care about the opinion people may have of me just because I openly express different views to those of the poster, or to those of the people who’ve left comments.

I stand by my argument that it’s not the role of ACTION to provide equal service to each and every member of the pubic, I also stand by my argument that 3 children does not classify someone as disabled.

Oh Granny, I wish you were my mum.

And as for the community based services – even though they are there they are so over loaded (and in some cases, under funded) to provide the service that Canberra needs.

I always like to help mothers with prams who are getting onto buses, it’s a tough job – I struggled the one time I took my 3 yr old nephew on the bus, and he isn’t even a handful!

Thanks, Aurelius.

: )

Nevertheless, apology accepted PsydFX.

PsydFX,
As you’re new here, I’ll let you in on a secret.
In a discussion forum, you’re judged on your words.
Yours have not done you a service thus far.

Granny, I would actually like to apologise for that last comment, I really do not wish the discussion to digress into name calling casting aspersions on people character.

*chuckle*

Well, I am female. Never been called bitter and crusty before though!

*guffaw*

Granny, seems you got him in one (or was that three?)

Wow, another great counter argument from Granny. Thankyou for the input, and whilst we’re playing the guessing game, i’m going to to go for:

Female, Bitter, and Crusty!

I’m guessing male, childless and basically clueless.

peterh said :

um, just a small point, PsydFX, but isn’t Action a PUBLIC Transport System?

doesn’t that mean that the public use the buses?

how can you say, all wheelchair bound people should rely on community groups and carers and not expect service from action buses?

isn’t that Action’s job?

as for profit making, they are an authority owned by the ACT govt. does any department make a profit? (apart from the claims of IntACT, but i am NOT listening to them)

All I want is the ability to take 3 kids, 2 in a stroller or pram onto the bus. not a big ask, and i AM paying for them.

if Action cannot provide me with the means to do so, I will refrain from using them.

Physically or mentally disabled people don’t have that luxury. If they need to rely on buses, they should have the same level of service that an able bodied person receives.

Please refrain from mis-quoting me to make some BS point.
Never did I say “all wheelchair bound people should rely on community groups and carers and not expect service from action buses”

I clearly stated Canberra has community based organisations to assist people with disabilities, and suggested that ACTION is unsuitable as a complete replacement for these services.

People like you are what’s wrong with the world today, somehow you appear to lack the basic problem solving ability to work out how to get 3 children and a pram on a regular bus. I’m sure it may not always be as easy as you’d like, but then again, I imagine having 3 young children in general is not easy.

You rule Granny! 😉 And no, that’s not laced with sarc. for a change!

BigDave said :

Yeah, you’ve no idea either.

Oh, I think I’ve helped enough struggling young mothers on and off of buses to have some idea.

um, just a small point, PsydFX, but isn’t Action a PUBLIC Transport System?

doesn’t that mean that the public use the buses?

how can you say, all wheelchair bound people should rely on community groups and carers and not expect service from action buses?

isn’t that Action’s job?

as for profit making, they are an authority owned by the ACT govt. does any department make a profit? (apart from the claims of IntACT, but i am NOT listening to them)

All I want is the ability to take 3 kids, 2 in a stroller or pram onto the bus. not a big ask, and i AM paying for them.

if Action cannot provide me with the means to do so, I will refrain from using them.

Physically or mentally disabled people don’t have that luxury. If they need to rely on buses, they should have the same level of service that an able bodied person receives.

Yeah, you’ve no idea either.

If you feel so strongly, then perhaps you and the 30 or so others on the bus who choose to ignore any situation should grow some balls, help others for a change and stop blaming everyone else.

I AM one of those people who actually helps strangers BigDave – AND I have been in your position before. I’m just a realist who believe in humanity instead of bulls**t policies. I too have been a contractor until recently – under the same conditions you speak of, and with plenty to lose. That never stopped me helping mum’s with groceries and a pram down 20 steps, helping an old fella cross the road – just in-case I got hurt and could not work.

Please!

Yeah, leave it to the public to hurt themselves and get sued.

tylersmayhem, you know nothing about how things are in the workplace today . It’s not a case of hiding behind a sign. Let’s say, a driver gets out from behind the wheel to help you one day and something happens that prevents him from working for a good while. He’s now not entitled to any compensation etc. because he shouldn’t have been where he was. Would you, being the good samaritan that you so obviously are, now help him out financially? No, you wouldn’t. So why does he need to take that risk? You wouldn’t if there’s a chance that something may happen that affects your livelihood. And I doubt that you’ve ever been in a position like that so you’re not really qualified to comment. My father helped a frail old lady off his bus once with somebody else. She slipped from their grasp and bruised her ankle on the step. She complained the next day, landing him in a bit of hot water. That’s another example of why they aren’t allowed to be “helpful”. Compensation culture!
If you feel so strongly, then perhaps you and the 30 or so others on the bus who choose to ignore any situation should grow some balls, help others for a change and stop blaming everyone else.

Or that other people provide you, for that matter, if you are in need of public transport.

Oh you mean independence that other people provide you, got it!

PsydFX said :

Great counter argument – I’m in love with ACTION. Good one!

Sorry, what I should have said was: While you may enjoy living off charity, others prefer to keep their pride and independence.

Granny said :

PsydFX said :

So you know full well what some people have to go through, but are happy to complain about only having 99 easy access busses. Rich!

I stopped using the buses long before easy access was even thought about. If you are so in love with ACTION I’m happy for you.

I think the message, if they could be bothered to listen, is that they need to go to the dictionary and look up the definition of the word “service”. Then perhaps they could provide one.

They used to, albeit at a loss. Now they just provide the loss.

If you want to defend their crappy ‘service’ go right ahead. You might find a Canberran or two out there who agrees with you.

Good luck!

Great counter argument – I’m in love with ACTION. Good one!

Reply

PsydFX said :

So you know full well what some people have to go through, but are happy to complain about only having 99 easy access busses. Rich!

I stopped using the buses long before easy access was even thought about. If you are so in love with ACTION I’m happy for you.

I think the message, if they could be bothered to listen, is that they need to go to the dictionary and look up the definition of the word “service”. Then perhaps they could provide one.

They used to, albeit at a loss. Now they just provide the loss.

If you want to defend their crappy ‘service’ go right ahead. You might find a Canberran or two out there who agrees with you.

Good luck!

BigDave wrote: By all means, use your car or catch a cab if it doesn’t work for you. Remember you do have a choice.

I know full well I have a choice – that’s why I ride to work.

BigDave also wrote: You see, there you go again. Didn’t you read my post? I’ve already told you that drivers aren’t allowed to leave the seat. It’s not their choice and it’s not their job to be carers either.

I did read your comment, but I still think it sucks the drivers are “no longer allowed to help” people who need help. Does that also count if someone had a heart attack – so you won’t do anything, because that would mean taking responsibility for someone else…or leaving your seat. Nice!

People used to help each other out a lot more – including bus drivers. I really can’t imagine a driver getting the sack because he continually helped the elderly, disabled or parents herding a bunch of little’ns – particularly there was no ramp. Stop hiding behind the f**king rules – grow some balls and help people instead of hiding behind your little OH&S sign!

“How would you feel if you were told that rather than being able to go down to your local bus stop and catch a bus you would have to call on a community group or special taxi?”

How would it make me feel? Lucky, happy, and grateful!
->It would make me feel lucky that I still have transport options,
->It would make feel happy that I am not house bound,
->It would make feel grateful that these services that do exist are available.

“The fact is that there are many crippled people throughout the world who are dragging
themselves through the dirt on their hands or being carried on the backs of their mothers. This is the reality. It does not make it desirable.”

So you know full well what some people have to go through, but are happy to complain about only having 99 easy access busses. Rich!

Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman, PsydFX.

I do not see myself as a victim, however I do believe that the disabled should have the same opportunities as any other member of the public.

If they are willing and able to catch buses, dare I say in the rain, they should have the same opportunity as any other able-bodied member of the public.

It is my understanding that this right is enshrined in international and federal law, although I am willing to stand corrected.

How would you feel if you were told that rather than being able to go down to your local bus stop and catch a bus you would have to call on a community group or special taxi?

In my mind it is about basic human dignity.

We have a public transport system for a reason.

When people say things like, “What did we do before wheelchair access buses?” I could equally ask, “What did we do before wheelchairs?”

The fact is that there are many crippled people throughout the world who are dragging themselves through the dirt on their hands or being carried on the backs of their mothers. This is the reality. It does not make it desirable.

realityskin said :

i walked through 10 feet of snow every day with 3 kids in tow to get get food.

Back in my day we hiked 10 miles bare-foot to school, and back everyday. Still made it in time for 9am class. And on top of that, i carried my 3 younger brothers on my back the whole way.

shanefos said :

realityskin said :

yeah, take a glass of toughen the fkuc up !

You clearly do not have children. Takes a full glass-and-a-half of toughen the fcuk up to deal with twins and a toddler on a day-to-day basis, let alone having to lug the little buggers around on inadequate public transport.

rar rar rar

i walked through 10 feet of snow every day with 3 kids in tow to get get food.

Granny said :

PsydFX said :

I love the uninformed!
Canberra has so many community based organisations that assist people with disabilities to do things like get to jobs interviews, and to do their shopping.

And what of the carers?

I’ve personally been offered sweet FA.

Of course, I guess I could stand at the bus stop with my little tin cup and beg passengers to help me. Maybe I could maim an arm to get more sympathy.

It’s not like human rights should be the government’s responsibility after all. Leave it all to the charities and community based organisations, if they feel like it.

Oh, and if they happen to have the resources. Like respite care. What’s the waiting list for that again?

Please understand I am supportive of the disabled, and my comments have been based around personal family experience. My mother for a period of time was wheelchair bound, and during this time she relied heavily upon a combination of government funded community group services, and wheelchair accessible taxis to get around. She never complained, even though things were infinitely mroe difficult and more time consuming for her. She remained someone who was in a difficult situation, and didn’t become a “victim”.

Rather than convert the entire fleet to Easy-Access surely the simplest option for ACTION, and the most effiective solution for those unfortunate enough to need the service, would be to circulate a small fleet of the white wheelchair accessible mini busses that ACTION (used to?)have, that can pick up and drop off at your house. It seems though, that thanks to a whole bunch of people campaigning “for the disabled” that governments world wide are forced to be what is percieved as Politically Correct and make all public transport “Easy access”, which sure, has it’s benifits, but for my mother who lived about 1 kilometer from a bus stop, wheeling herself up and down hills to catch a bus is not a solution, is I’m sure it’s not to other Canberrans who are not fortunate enough to live next door to a bus stop.

tylersmayhem said :

But still I answer – how did people (including those in wheelchairs) cope before the ramps?

That is a good question, Tyler, and I can only suppose that either:

1. They had friends or family who were willing to help them live semi-independently,
2. They had assistance from a community organisation amounting to the same thing,
3. They were able to access sufficient mail order and home delivery options to cope without leaving home often, or
4. They were forced into an institutionalised or semi-institutionalised setting.

tylersmayhem wrote
I think the fact that drivers don’t help people in need, (as mentioned in Granny’s post) really Suck!

You see, there you go again. Didn’t you read my post? I’ve already told you that drivers aren’t allowed to leave the seat. It’s not their choice and it’s not their job to be carers either.

I think the real problem here is that too many people think that a bus service should cater to their own personal needs. The fact of the matter is that any bus service, wherever you may go, is supposed to reflect the needs of the collective and not the individual.
By all means, use your car or catch a cab if it doesn’t work for you. Remember you do have a choice.

@Bundybear: my last post was directed at the general public, and not intended for people in wheelchairs as an example. It was directed mainly at people who can easily catch public transport, but flat out refuse to. If more people got off their arse and used Action, then yes, there would be more money running through the company, which equals more buses, more services, more facilities (like ramps etc). Instead, we’ve seen idea’s of such wisdom to simply get an additional car as a solution, rather than consider public transport. Next, the same people will be bitching about the traffic congestion in years to come.

But still I answer – how did people (including those in wheelchairs) cope before the ramps?

I think the fact that drivers don’t help people in need, (as mentioned in Granny’s post) really Suck!

You might also re-read my previous comment Bundy: “I agree that if Action is quoting “x” number of buses are easy access, but this is not the case – then sure, send in a written complaint”.

Final advice to Bundy: Let Off Some Steam Bennett! (in my best Arnie impersonation).

PsydFX said :

I love the uninformed!
Canberra has so many community based organisations that assist people with disabilities to do things like get to jobs interviews, and to do their shopping.

And what of the carers?

I’ve personally been offered sweet FA.

Of course, I guess I could stand at the bus stop with my little tin cup and beg passengers to help me. Maybe I could maim an arm to get more sympathy.

It’s not like human rights should be the government’s responsibility after all. Leave it all to the charities and community based organisations, if they feel like it.

Oh, and if they happen to have the resources. Like respite care. What’s the waiting list for that again?

PsydFX said :

Belray,
When I stated “People in the minority” I was not refering to those with a disability,
and no, I don’t see 3 children as a disability.

neither do I.

but how do we conform to the govt’s message of discovering the plusses of buses when we can’t even get on?

good luck to the action authority in getting me to catch a ride on the human zoo, if they can’t accommodate my basic requirements for travel.

Belray,
When I stated “People in the minority” I was not refering to those with a disability,
and no, I don’t see 3 children as a disability.

Bundybear said :

Picture yourself sitting at the bus stop waiting to take the bus to a job interview. Sitting in your wheelchair, you are confident you have heaps of time to get there as you are leaving 2hrs before the appointment. Not so if you happen to be sitting next to Mrs Shanefos, and the first three buses aren’t accessible. By the time the fourth one arrives you are so close to interview time you’re wondering if it’s even worth going. But you do go, because it’s so damn hard to get a job if you have a disability, that you can’t afford to miss any chance. Thanks heaps Action.

I love the uninformed!
Canberra has so many community based organisations that assist people with disabilities to do things like get to jobs interviews, and to do their shopping.
It is unreasonable to suggest that ACTION is a suitable replacement for this service. ACTION is doing a good thing by supplying 99 Easy Access busses so far, but it’s BS to expect ACTION who hasn’t turned profit in the last 10 – 20 years or what ever it is, to immediately update 100 percent of it’s fleet to accommodate the small percentage of people who require it.

BigDave said :

Anyway, wouldn’t you rather have A bus, than NO bus??

I’ve already told you that A bus is NO bus for me, and I happen to have enough things to lobby about in my life already.

As already stated, I’m not taking the crap service out on anyone. I just don’t use it because I can’t; and I certainly feel sorry for the people who don’t have the same options I now do, either through poverty or disability.

Do I abuse drivers? No. I take my car.

With the same level of service I would expect from any government monopoly that doesn’t have to give a damn, and an arrogant majority government; frankly lobbying would be a waste of time.

I reckon those interested in lobbying the uncaring idiots who would rather build mafioso statues and arboretums, have about three weeks left to have them bother about you.

That is all.

BigDave said :

Just been speaking to my father, who happens to be one of these “unhelpful” and “a-hole” bus drivers obviously.
First of all, drivers are not permitted to leave their seats to help people on and off. There is a sign on the cab door telling anyone who bothers to look. I believe it’s an OH&S issue. In any case, you can’t expect an old guy or a female driver to help you with your heavy pushchair or shopping can you?? What’s wrong with the other 30-40 people on the bus who just stare in the opposite direction when they see you are struggling?
Secondly, buses are allocated to the best of Action’s abilities in the mornings. In the afternoons, it’s pretty much take what is given or what’s there. Anyway, wouldn’t you rather have A bus, than NO bus?? This is not a problem with allocation, they do the best they can with what they have to work with, it’s primarily down to the fact that Action do not have enough buses. Why aren’t any of you lobbying John Hargreaves instead of bravely taking it out on some poor person just trying to do a difficult job who’s only there for YOUR benefit??

bigdave,

we haven’t, well i am sure I haven’t, blamed the bus drivers for our woes. I don’t want the bus driver to get out of his chair and help me load the kids on. I want him to stay in his seat. he is a bus driver, not a bus helper on. why lobby john hargreaves? as I mentioned, my father in law wrote an eloquent letter (so he thinks) to action management. The fact that they actually replied was a shock in itself.
They blamed the budget that Action had been given. considering the numbers being chucked around by the alp re the funding they have, if they win the election, where will it come from?

I have several mates who drive buses, repair buses etc. they all say that the numbers of the new buses needs to be improved on, but action will be hamstrung by whatever budget is allocated to them.

I worked as a driver for multicabs. considering the average weight of a wheelchair incarcerated person, I wouldn’t want bus drivers trying to get them on or off a bus.

Though, being disabled doesn’t seem to be a disadvantage for most of the clients I picked up, they were pretty healthy and happy.

Bundybear said :

Realityskin and Tylersmayhem, maybe you two should STFU and have another read of the post!!!!!!!! Action is the one claiming the fabulous service, so they damn well should provide it.
Picture yourself sitting at the bus stop waiting to take the bus to a job interview. Sitting in your wheelchair, you are confident you have heaps of time to get there as you are leaving 2hrs before the appointment. Not so if you happen to be sitting next to Mrs Shanefos, and the first three buses aren’t accessible. By the time the fourth one arrives you are so close to interview time you’re wondering if it’s even worth going. But you do go, because it’s so damn hard to get a job if you have a disability, that you can’t afford to miss any chance. Thanks heaps Action.
Why no accessible bus? Most common reason given BY THE DRIVERS is that there weren’t any accessible buses left when they came on shift. Why? Because they’re new, and comfy, and easier to drive, and the other guys like them. Out of 90 odd accessible buses you can’t dedicate enough of them to make the service you claim will be accessible even reasonably reliable?
Got an important appointment, catch a cab, you MAY be lucky enough to get there! Sorry Jessieduck, that’s the reality. Driver plus one passenger in a maxicab.

But guess what? None of that’s the point. The point is, Action says they provide a service, and it’s a pot luck service at best. Fat chance you’ll get more people catching buses with this sort of garbage service.

Perhaps, Tylers and Reality, you ould actually think outside your own small universes, about how things might impact others, before you shoot your mouths off.

And if my little rant is too unnapealing, at least go back to #25, and read Granny’s far more reasoned and eloquent post.

Well said…..

PsydFX noted

“I love it when people in the minority demand that everything be tailored to them, and I’m an even bigger fan of being a tax payer that has to pay for it. People with far more difficult circumstance have managed to deal with far worse situations for a long time, I hardly think having to wait a few busses for an easy-access bus warrants some great debate”.

I must say, I was under the impression that in a society such as ours, the more fortunate of us looked after the less fortunate. Hang on a minute, aren’t we supposed to be an altruistic society? So when the “minority group” thought process is discussed, think about that. BTW, I have no agenda here, thankfully, both me and my family are healthy and happy – we are lucky that way.

Next thing, this person will be talking about the survival of the fittest, which is all well and good until you are not the fittest. At one time in all of our lives, we will be reliant upon the govt, family or heaven forbid – total strangers. PsydFX, imagine that you have been arrested for something, anything. Survival of the fittest suggests that you are going to gaol, because you don’t want to rely on the help of a stranger (lawyers, who may I say cop a flogging here – until you need one of course).

Anyway, enough from me.

Just been speaking to my father, who happens to be one of these “unhelpful” and “a-hole” bus drivers obviously.
First of all, drivers are not permitted to leave their seats to help people on and off. There is a sign on the cab door telling anyone who bothers to look. I believe it’s an OH&S issue. In any case, you can’t expect an old guy or a female driver to help you with your heavy pushchair or shopping can you?? What’s wrong with the other 30-40 people on the bus who just stare in the opposite direction when they see you are struggling?
Secondly, buses are allocated to the best of Action’s abilities in the mornings. In the afternoons, it’s pretty much take what is given or what’s there. Anyway, wouldn’t you rather have A bus, than NO bus?? This is not a problem with allocation, they do the best they can with what they have to work with, it’s primarily down to the fact that Action do not have enough buses. Why aren’t any of you lobbying John Hargreaves instead of bravely taking it out on some poor person just trying to do a difficult job who’s only there for YOUR benefit??

bd84 said :

ACTION already say that it is not guaranteed that every bus on the routes are “easy access” buses, the majority of buses I do see on the intertown are the newer buses, probably about 90%…

If you look at the Intertown bus timetable, it says that there are only 4 services that are *not* easy access.
If Action can’t guarantee that the services that are supposed to be easy access will actually be easy access buses, then why bother mentioning those that won’t be???

Whoa up bd84, nobody’s bailed up any bus drivers, or got abgry at them, it’s the service – Action – that’s under fire. Please don’t read your own interpretation into my post, read what I actually said.

Let’s look at your post a bit – why doesn’t Action guarantee them as easy access, they have enough buses , they just need to allocate them. Is 90% a statistic or a guess? Unfortunately the govt. has been a bit slow – at the same time as they are pushing for more people to catch buses, closing carparks, etc. they forget to make sure they have enough buses to cover the routes properly. Who’se going to just deal with the normal buses, the guy in the wheelchair? WTF!!! And as for mothers, go back and read Granny at #25.AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

What makes you think the buses are allocated – it was the drivers who stated you get what’s left in the yard, the fact that they’re not allocated is the nub of the damn problem, if they were allocated properly, Action COULD guarantee easy access buses on specific routes!!!!!!!!!!

I have the greatest sympathy for Action bus drivers, they have to work for and with the prats who run Action, as well as deal with members of the public who are pissed off AND irate AND irrational because they’re fed up, and who do take it out on the drivers.

Jessieduck, bus fare v taxi fare on a disability pension = not a very fair fare even if sustainable.

Sorry Granny, as a confirmed bogan, if I put the boot in I’d hurt my feet, ’cause I wear uggs. So I’ll just have to stay sweet and nice like usual. ;0]

ACTION already say that it is not guaranteed that every bus on the routes are “easy access” buses, the majority of buses I do see on the intertown are the newer buses, probably about 90%. Unfortunately the Government has been a bit slow in ordering new buses, the same as slow in ordering bigger buses, but probably quicker than most other states. Guess what you will have to deal with normal buses, like most mothers did when we were kids, the drivers are likely not allowed out of the bus along the route for safety reasons.

You know why ACTION drivers are disgruntled? they deal with the fools of the world every day. Trying to bail a driver up as to why he wasn’t driving a particular type of bus is idiotic. They do not get to choose the bus they drive, they get allocated the particular bus by ACTION, based on the routes they’re driving and the availability of buses. They show up get allocated the bus and drive around to pick you up, the more you get angry with them the more likely you will be left standing at the bus stop when the bus doesn’t arrive because they’ve called in sick or quit. It’s no use getting angry at the driver.

It’s all good Bundy, taxi’s are totally sustainable transport because they carry so many people every day. I use them for the days I have to get to work before 7.30am.

Oh the power and the passion of your post!

“Put in the boot!” I sez. “Put in the boot!”

*chuckle*

Go, Bundy!!

That would be “could” actually think. Can’t type straight when I get a head of steam up.

Realityskin and Tylersmayhem, maybe you two should STFU and have another read of the post!!!!!!!! Action is the one claiming the fabulous service, so they damn well should provide it.
Picture yourself sitting at the bus stop waiting to take the bus to a job interview. Sitting in your wheelchair, you are confident you have heaps of time to get there as you are leaving 2hrs before the appointment. Not so if you happen to be sitting next to Mrs Shanefos, and the first three buses aren’t accessible. By the time the fourth one arrives you are so close to interview time you’re wondering if it’s even worth going. But you do go, because it’s so damn hard to get a job if you have a disability, that you can’t afford to miss any chance. Thanks heaps Action.
Why no accessible bus? Most common reason given BY THE DRIVERS is that there weren’t any accessible buses left when they came on shift. Why? Because they’re new, and comfy, and easier to drive, and the other guys like them. Out of 90 odd accessible buses you can’t dedicate enough of them to make the service you claim will be accessible even reasonably reliable?
Got an important appointment, catch a cab, you MAY be lucky enough to get there! Sorry Jessieduck, that’s the reality. Driver plus one passenger in a maxicab.

But guess what? None of that’s the point. The point is, Action says they provide a service, and it’s a pot luck service at best. Fat chance you’ll get more people catching buses with this sort of garbage service.

Perhaps, Tylers and Reality, you ould actually think outside your own small universes, about how things might impact others, before you shoot your mouths off.

And if my little rant is too unnapealing, at least go back to #25, and read Granny’s far more reasoned and eloquent post.

What really gives me the shibs is there are so many cars with only one person in them going to and from work. I think everyone should be able to catch buses but more importantly, more people SHOULD catch buses.

The more able-bodied, hands-free commuters out there, the more we free up the roads. If people in Canberra used the buses more then Action would have more money to provide the whiz-bang buses that we all enjoy more- whether it is for the ramp access, bike thingies or better aircon (which = less stinkies)

Granny said :

LOL

Make it so, Number 1!

nah, they can make their own minds up re what they want to do.

though at the current rate of growth, they will be monstering people out of their seats by the time they are 10. already up to their sister’s shoulder, and only 15mths old.

Just as long as they don’t rest their arm on my head, as i used to do to my long suffering mother…

LOL

Make it so, Number 1!

Granny said :

Yes, because someone with a disability should have no right to leave their home for the next two years.

Of course, federal law on discrimination does demand equal services for people with a disability, but with any luck that will have changed by the time you enter the nursing home.

and are attended by my kids.

hwahahahahahaaaa!

Yes, because someone with a disability should have no right to leave their home for the next two years.

Of course, federal law on discrimination does demand equal services for people with a disability, but with any luck that will have changed by the time you enter the nursing home.

I love it when people in the minority demand that everything be tailored to them, and I’m an even bigger fan of being a tax payer that has to pay for it. People with far more difficult circumstance have managed to deal with far worse situations for a long time, I hardly think having to wait a few busses for an easy-access bus warrants some great debate.

I used the bus system successfully when my first three children were little. I would also get lifts with people, and use taxis where necessary.

However, what made this possible was:

1. The bus shelter was covered.
2. The bus driver would help me with my stroller when necessary.
3. The buses went every 15 minutes to and from Civic and Belconnen.

I tried to do the same to raise my second family, but found it completely impossible because:

1. There was no shelter. (One month my new baby and I got rained on 4 times a day for 30 days).

2. The bus driver refused to help me with my stroller when necessary. (This became more and more of a problem as my disabled child grew. By the time she was two I was unable to access the system at all.)

3. The services in Gungahlin were, are, and have always been little more than a bad joke. The services where we used to live in Kaleen have also worsened.

I have nothing but sympathy for those with disabilities and young families attempting to access the so-called ‘public’ transport system in this city. Obviously some members of the ‘public’ are not as equal as others.

I discovered the ‘pluses of buses’ alright, and there weren’t any. After more than twenty years of catching buses in this city, I was forced to get my driver’s licence in order to leave my home with my child with a disability.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

where apparently all the buses are easy access now. Small council, but one that listens to the needs of the community

I think it’s important to underline “small council”. Canberra is quite a lot larger than a small “council” – therefore the logistics of upgrading a much larger bus system which the majority of commuters have an incredible avoidance to using – poses a several reasons why it takes several years to upgrade buses with low patronage, as opposed to a few local buses in a small council.

Great option though Holden, just buy another car for one person to drive around in, avoid public transport, then moan because they don’t upgrade all public buses in a heartbeat, because you’re not using/funding them while continuing to pollute the environment. Brilliant! Then again, apparently petrol is cheap, almost renewable to some and of little concern until it runs out. THEN maybe people might consider using public transport?!

Swaggie said :

We share similar views on The Stanhope Memorial Arboretum and I don’t want my rates to rise any more than necessary Peter H (in fact they need to come down) but seriously Action are bringing the buses in – by 2010, they are trying to listen to the views of the Community and your complaint is it’s not fast enough for your liking, I don’t blame Action for budget restraints I blame the Stanhope mob for ineffective financial management. Now if you do want to buy a 2nd car I have an old Commodore, pollution generating, petrol guzzling, wreck of a car for sale 🙂

I will stick to the old magna I have, thanks all the same, haven’t filled it up in 3 weeks, and it is still going…

cannot wait to see the results of the election, I sooo want to at least scare the ALP into action.

realityskin said :

yeah, take a glass of toughen the fkuc up !

You clearly do not have children. Takes a full glass-and-a-half of toughen the fcuk up to deal with twins and a toddler on a day-to-day basis, let alone having to lug the little buggers around on inadequate public transport.

I catch several buses every day to get to and from work and have no problems with Action. They are usually on time and service is generally pretty good.
But I do not have limited mobility or have kids in a pram to deal with.
There is no way in hell I would even contemplate trying to catch the not-easy access buses with the kids in tow. For one, if the kids can’t be in the pram while on the bus (i.e. if there is no wheelchair/pram area on the bus) then they’re not going on the bus – one person cannot safely hold two babies and corral a toddler and fold and unfold a pram without an extra set of hands.

We share similar views on The Stanhope Memorial Arboretum and I don’t want my rates to rise any more than necessary Peter H (in fact they need to come down) but seriously Action are bringing the buses in – by 2010, they are trying to listen to the views of the Community and your complaint is it’s not fast enough for your liking, I don’t blame Action for budget restraints I blame the Stanhope mob for ineffective financial management. Now if you do want to buy a 2nd car I have an old Commodore, pollution generating, petrol guzzling, wreck of a car for sale 🙂

shanefos said :

MrMagoo said :

Like Jessieduck I rely on the bus to do all of my travel, well most of it. I have and do take the kids and a pram all the time and I am vision impaired as well.. I have neither had any issue nor trouble with getting on and off the bus and that includes very rarely getting easy access buses.

Do you have a twin-pram, Mr Magoo? Ever tried getting one of those as well as two babies and a toddler on and off a bus that doesn’t have ramp access?
Then again, being vision impaired might be the key here, because you don’t have the extra pressure of surly bus drivers staring you down and grumbling about how long it takes you to get on and off.

perhaps the local CARMBA members could see if they could lobby for more easy access buses?
I actually thought Associations did that kind of thing for members?

I found the buses in Sydney to be quite good actually.

Swaggie said :

Peter H – why not catch the bus yourself mate, leave the car for the wife and kids? Your father in law sounds a helpful soul in writing that letter so sure he’ll be happy to ferry the wife and kids round if they really can’t get on a normal bus. Personally I’m stuffed if I want my Domestic rates to skyrocket just so Action can have a fleet 100% ‘Easy Access’ before 2010.

hey swaggie, solved the problem, got another car.

problem re the father in law is that he lives in Sunbury VIC. (where apparently all the buses are easy access now. Small council, but one that listens to the needs of the community)

Your domestic rates will skyrocket without any Action proposed bus changes, how long till the ACT govt creates a new tax, maybe an arboretum tax?

just reminded me. I now remember the question for the candidates. Ta.

Peter H – why not catch the bus yourself mate, leave the car for the wife and kids? Your father in law sounds a helpful soul in writing that letter so sure he’ll be happy to ferry the wife and kids round if they really can’t get on a normal bus. Personally I’m stuffed if I want my Domestic rates to skyrocket just so Action can have a fleet 100% ‘Easy Access’ before 2010.

I really don’t think ACTION are that bad. Every time I have had to take a bus (admittedly this is not often) it has arrived almost on time, the bus driver has been fine to deal with etc. If you think buses are bad here, try the buses in Sydney. They seem to drive in ‘packs’ (3 buses together) every hour and a half.

At least they run the easy access busses intertown… problem for peopel in the the connecting busses to get from the minor centres like weston to woden to get on these busses.

In ACTIONS defence, I recently had an almost accident driving to work early one morning (I know this sounds bad already) at the hands of a groosly incompetent bus driver.(Read bus in middle lane, me in left lane, half way along bus. Bus decides it needs to be in left lane and moves across, no indicators, no warning, forcing me into the bike lane, and eventually coming to a full stand still to avoid getting a cyclist caught in my work car grille)

That morning, I wrote a long and detailed email to ACTION and got a standard pro forma reply.

Initially it seemed that they had palmed my report off into the too hard basket but alas 2 weeks later I arrived at work with a voicemail.

I rang ACTION back – and as I was able to report the bus, time, location etc in my inital email, they were able to chase up video footage of the driver in question.

ACTION rep all but admitted that the driven in question had already been under the scope for various other “Incidents” and assured me that they had already began following up my email.

They then assured me that the driver has been made aware of my email, is undergoing mandatory driver reviews and may face disciplinary action.

ACTION finished by saying that they will be keeping me posted with the recourse of my email.

A good result for me – this driver could easily cause a fatality if their behaviour does not change.

No one toddler and one baby and yes sometimes a driver hasn’t been best pleased about waiting while I load upbut hey that’s their job. And I don’t wear a big sign that say Blink on Board either.

shanefos said :

MrMagoo said :

Like Jessieduck I rely on the bus to do all of my travel, well most of it. I have and do take the kids and a pram all the time and I am vision impaired as well.. I have neither had any issue nor trouble with getting on and off the bus and that includes very rarely getting easy access buses.

Do you have a twin-pram, Mr Magoo? Ever tried getting one of those as well as two babies and a toddler on and off a bus that doesn’t have ramp access?
Then again, being vision impaired might be the key here, because you don’t have the extra pressure of surly bus drivers staring you down and grumbling about how long it takes you to get on and off.

twin prams are the work of the devil. the long ones don’t turn easily, the side by sides don’t fit anywhere. and bus drivers seem to see straight through you whilst you try to get on board.

as mentioned in other posts, though, I want a really big spike on the front to mow down the idiots who walk in front of me.

yeah, take a glass of toughen the fkuc up !

I too have played ‘bike rack lotto’, in fact my continual failure to win that lotto led me to give up on buses.

As a 24 year old, completely healthy male, who finds buses extremely frustrating, my heart goes out to those with disability or wee ones to toe around. I couldn’t do it.

Oh good grief – how did people manage before “easy-access” buses? I sure as hell was carted around on Action buses when I was little with no problem. It’s along the same lines as “OMG, my Outlook is broken – how will I ever survive”! C’mon people – harden up. How do you think millions of other societies in the world manage?

I agree that if Action is quoting “x” number of buses are easy access, but this is not the case – then sure, send in a written complaint. But I sure as hell wouldn’t martyr myself by waiting for 4 buses before asking for help to get on one.

The majority of bus drivers world wide are disgruntled (my wife hs enlightened me yesterday that this is not in fact always the case), but I noticed majority a-hole bus drivers in Syd, London, Canberra etc.

When will people stop finding reasons to not use public transport? Toughen up, get organised, get out your 10-ride pass and jump on. That or buy a treddly and get fit and save cash too (admittedly not helping the OP with this sugg.) Options galore!

MrMagoo said :

Like Jessieduck I rely on the bus to do all of my travel, well most of it. I have and do take the kids and a pram all the time and I am vision impaired as well.. I have neither had any issue nor trouble with getting on and off the bus and that includes very rarely getting easy access buses.

Do you have a twin-pram, Mr Magoo? Ever tried getting one of those as well as two babies and a toddler on and off a bus that doesn’t have ramp access?
Then again, being vision impaired might be the key here, because you don’t have the extra pressure of surly bus drivers staring you down and grumbling about how long it takes you to get on and off.

… A further update. After waiting at the Belconnen Interchange and having two buses without ramp access go past, when an “Easy Access” bus finally arrived it was too full to take the pram and the driver refused to allow her to board!
I love this town!

Like Jessieduck I rely on the bus to do all of my travel, well most of it. I have and do take the kids and a pram all the time and I am vision impaired as well.. I have neither had any issue nor trouble with getting on and off the bus and that includes very rarely getting easy access buses.

I rely on Action for most of my transport needs but I cannot imagine doing it with kidliwinks- hard work.

my father in law wrote a fairly rude letter to action buses. (he didn’t think it was rude, but oh, it was.)

My wife is housebound when i have the car. a 3yo and twin boys in the pram, makes it near impossible to get on a standard bus. My father in law wanted to know what was being done to address the lack of easy access buses. the response was pleasant and dismissive. The action representative advised him that there were plans to upgrade all buses to easy access, but they were hampered at the moment by budget cuts. There would be omly easy access buses by at least 2010. bit of a wait at a bus stop.

Unfortunately ACTION is a joke. Late buses, early buses, dirty buses, driver calls in sick – cancel the service. None or limited services after 10.00 pm. The list goes on……

God-only-knows how people with limited mobility get around in this town if someone with a mere family impairment has s omuch trouble!
On her last trip across town, because “Easy Access” buses were so few and far between, what is normally a 20 minute drive turned into a 4 hour round trip!

Similar sentiments regarding my favourite game – “bus bike-rack lotto”.

A lack of “easy access” buses never hindered my mum when raising three kids – however back then the bus driver would happily leap out of his seat, fold up the stroller and stow it in the baggage area for you!