New Stagecoach buses 'useless for the disabled'
THE new buses on the X99 route to Inverness have been slammed as "completely unsuitable" for disabled people or parents with children.
Brenda Herrick, the former chair of the Castletown and District Community Council, says she has written to Stagecoach North Commercial Director Daniel Laird to voice her concerns.
"I am surprised they are legal as I was under the impression disabled access was a requirement for nearly everything these days," she says of the vehicles, which have three seats on the lower floor, and a main seating area accessed by a stair.
"These buses are only accessible by fit, fully mobile, average size – not too fat or too tall or too short – people and not young children."
Mrs Herrick writes that she understands five more buses are on the way, but hopes this will be reconsidered. "We certainly need new buses, but not these," she said.
Mrs Herrick, who lives in Castletown, says there have already been "several complaints" about the buses.
"I have twice travelled as far as Wick on one of these and would certainly not consider using one for Inverness, even if I managed to get a seat on the lower floor, as the toilet is upstairs and I've no intention of trying to use those very steep stairs when the bus is moving fast and swinging around corners. Bad enough going up but very dangerous coming down. For disabled passengers, even if they found a seat below, they would be completely prevented from using the toilet.
"Of the three seats behind the driver only one is acceptable for travelling as the two behind the driver have a very small leg space so no room at all to stretch on a long journey and very uncomfortable for anyone tall, large or with any leg problems."
Mrs Herrick asks what a carer accompanying a wheelchair user is supposed to do if they cannot sit near the person and says there is no handrail to hold on to as is the case with the older buses.
She says that away from towns and villages, buses usually stop where requested, but stresses on the new buses would mean ascending the stairs as the bus moves.
"The card scanner and driver's seat is impeded by the wheelchair back, so difficult to reach. Who on earth thought these buses were a sensible design? I'd challenge them to accompany even someone who needed a stick to walk and see for themselves how impossible these buses are."
A spokesman for Stagecoach North Scotland said yesterday: "We are continually looking for ways to improve our services for our passengers and make bus travel more accessible, affordable and easy for all. The coaches comply fully with the Disability Discrimination Act and have provided a boost for public transport in the area.
"We can confirm we've today received a letter from Brenda Herrick and are arranging to meet with her very soon."