Victory for Evening News campaign as prams to get space on buses

Published on Tuesday 24 March 2009 08:36

MUMS were today celebrating victory in their fight with Lothian Buses after the firm announced plans to trial new pram-friendly vehicles.

The company plans to bring in the new buses with dedicated spaces for prams and buggies in June, and expects they will make up half the fleet in two or three years' time.

It comes after more than 2000 people signed a petition criticising the company's controversial decision to impose a ban on unfoldable prams to keep wheelchair spaces free. The Scottish Parliament called on Lothian Buses to find a compromise last month and three of Edinburgh's leading disability charities wrote an open letter calling for a solution to be found.

Ian Craig, managing director of Lothian Buses, said the company had held extensive talks with passenger groups, disability groups and trade unions. If the design is approved, the new double-decker and single-decker buses will be on the streets in June.

He said: "We are investigating the scope for introducing a space for a pushchair. However, this will not be allowed to compromise the fundamental principle that we continue to do everything we can to ensure that the designated wheelchair space is available for a wheelchair user whenever they wish to travel."

The company was the only one in Scotland to ban prams and buggies. Although it was not a new policy, it only began strictly enforcing it in July last year, claiming it was in line with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Catriona Black, 35, from Willowbrae Road, who is expecting her second child in June, started the petition seven months ago. The campaigners agreed that wheelchair users should have priority, but said prams should be allowed on if there was space.

She said: "This is a really great achievement for the long term. In some ways it's more than we hoped for. We're very keen that the pilot scheme is successful.

"This has been a difficult struggle but we are glad to see they've come round to our way of thinking. This will make life much easier for a lot of people. It's just a shame they haven't lifted the ban on all buses."

Campaigners had been supported by the Royal College of Midwives and Unite's Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association.

Three disability groups, ECAS, Capability Scotland and Edinburgh Disability Equality Forum, had taken part in discussions with Lothian Buses to try to find a solution. City councillors had also called for a "common sense solution" to be found.

SNP Lothians MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville, who has a baby daughter, championed the cause in parliament. Today she said: "The campaigners have always been clear that this isn't about wheelchairs versus prams – it's about accommodating everyone."

Campaigner Angela Gullone, 38, a researcher from Corstorphine, added: "This is fantastic. I think it will be welcomed by all mums with babies, as well as the wider travelling public."