Who Gets Priority on UK Buses? Viral Wheelchair vs Buggies Row Sparks Fierce Debate

A viral six-minute video posted on X sparked renewed debate over which gets priority on the UK bus: wheelchair or buggies? The video started in the middle of the exchange between a father and a bus driver.

'There are two buggies there,' the bus driver told the father. She was referring to the buggies that occupied the space for wheelchair users. The bus driver admitted that wheelchair users must be prioritised, saying: 'The wheelchair has priority but what can I do?'

Bus Argument

The distressed father repeatedly told the bus driver that he wants to go on the bus with his young son in a wheelchair. While the bus driver didn't categorically say he can't go on the bus, she kept repeating that space allotted for wheelchairs is occupied.

The father went on the bus with his camera to show that the space for the wheelchair is occupied by two buggies. He also went on to show the sign that says: 'Buggy users—please make space for wheelchair users.' Under that note, it says: 'Priority wheelchair area.'

The father insisted that he was told not to go on the bus. The bus driver also insisted that she did not explicitly say that: 'No, what did I say to you, sir? I told you I've got two buggies on the bus. You asked me, "Can I get on the bus?" I told you there is no space; there are two buggies on the bus. So, what am I supposed to do? Should I go and remove the buggies?'

Instead, the bus driver told the father to take the bus that stopped behind. The other passengers came to the aid of the bus driver, telling the father that he was never told not to board but that he was given the option to go to the other bus.

Because the exchange went on too long, some of the passengers went down, including the adults with buggies. Two more passengers intervened in the verbal dispute. One also took a video of the father, while saying: 'Come off the bus, Man. You're wasting time.'

What Was the Bus Driver Supposed To Do?

Under the law, bus operators are responsible for implementing the law that prioritises people in wheelchairs in the designated spot on the bus. As frontliners, bus drivers are required to request people with pushchairs or buggies to move or fold them.

Transport for London (TfL) sets the following guidelines for buggy users: 'By law, wheelchair users have priority over the space as it is the only place they can travel safely. When a wheelchair user is not using the space, you can use it on a first-come, first-served basis.'

The agency continued: 'If a wheelchair user wishes to board a bus, you should share the space, fold your buggy or move. You will not be asked to leave the bus, but you may choose to do so.'

The issue appears to be recurring. The original poster said: 'I'm seeing more & more of these videos. Wheelchair users aren't able to access public transport spaces where they are supposed to take priority because of arrogant parents with their damn buggies.'

A wheelchair user also shared on social media that she has become fearful and resentful of buggy users.