A Towradgi woman struggling with multiple sclerosis was left ‘’humiliated’’ after a bus driver refused to allow her on board with her micro scooter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nina Crumpton, 36, was diagnosed with the disease of the central nervous system eight years ago and its rapid progression has meant she now has to rely on the scooter to get around.
A regular user of public transport, she made sure the scooter fit within strict guidelines when she bought it 12 months ago, and has been using it on buses and trains ever since.
However on Saturday morning, Ms Crumpton said she was refused access to a Premier Illawarra bus as she was attempting to get into the Wollongong CBD.
‘’I’m in the secondary progressive stage of MS and am using the scooter to get around until I have to use a wheelchair,’’ she said.
‘’I made sure the scooter met the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport – that it was the right width, had the correct turning circle and braking system and met other requirements.
‘’I travel on buses a few times a week and have had no issues. I don’t require any assistance from the driver – they just need to drop the ramp down for me and I can park in the wheelchair bay.
‘’However this driver didn’t even pull up to the curb – he opened the bus doors in the middle of the road and yelled out ‘Haven’t you heard? I can’t take you with the scooter’.
‘’I started to explain that I catch buses regularly and he said that other drivers were risking their jobs to let me on. Then he shut the doors in my face and moved on.’’
Ms Crumpton has made a complaint to Premier Illawarra, and a spokesman for the company told the Mercury they were ‘’investigating the matter’’.
According to the Transport NSW website, mobility aids may be used on buses as long as they complied with ‘’certain dimensions and manoeuvrability and stability specifications’’.
‘’Being a wheelie has its challenges,’’ Ms Crumpton said. ‘’Incidents like this make you feel less than human and I was humiliated.’’
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia CEO Peter Perry said its advocacy team often worked with people to resolve access issues.
“It is disappointing that people with a disability like Nina continue to encounter barriers simply trying to go about their day-to-day life. Everyone deserves to be able to use public transport.’’
Mr Perry added: ‘’We applaud Nina for standing up for her rights as a member of the public and as a person with a disability.”