Wouldn't it just keep the peace if he DID put a ramp down?

[Mw Roofline]

Chariot man is obviously playing the disabled card here but it would take 5 seconds to put the ramp down. Looks to me that there have been some 'issues' previously and a driver was sacked. Chariot man is clearly making his 'point' and came prepared with his camera phone.

But, apart from 'proving' their point (whatever that may be?) I really don't see why they couldn't have done it. I would have.

Six of one and half a dozn of the other - But Chariot man wins IMO as he DOES need some help in boarding the train.

 

[JohnD]

on the TV report, the campaigner said you had to book 24 hours in advance to book a ramp and someone to help you on and off. Does anyone know if that's true? the reporter read out a letter saying that Northern trains are old and do not take ramps

edited:
aha! see http://www.northernrail.org/northern/passengercharter/policystatement

"...Disabled passengers using the service can therefore make arrangements for assistance at all stations with a single telephone call, email or fax. We are committed to help develop the National Reservation System (NRS) being implemented by ATOC.

Passengers requiring assistance are strongly recommended to make arrangements at least 24 hours in advance of travel. When passengers choose not to notify us of their travel requirements in advance, our staff will try to assist where possible..."

so I think there is more to it than meets the eye. I wonder what went on before he started filming?

 

[Blasphemous]

Six of one and half a dozn of the other - But Chariot man wins IMO as he DOES need some help in boarding the train.

We know nothing about this other than the short video posted. How do you know he needs a ramp? We never see the guy you labelled 'chariot man'. For all we know he could be a constant trouble maker. For all we know the guards could be racist bully boys. This video shows us nothing in order to make an informed decision on what should and/or should not have happened.

 

[RedHerring2]

Interesting response Blas'.
Noticed on BBC news site the other evening about kids should be taught to tell the difference between news & propoganda.

Also reminds me of my studies many, many years ago.
We were given about 10 still photos and asked to make up a 'news' story around the photos. Quite a few interesting, prejudiced stories came out. Some tongue in cheek, some obviously 'trolling' but many different.

 

[Nige F]

Just another crip with a chip on shoulder . You wouldn`t find a 1 armed ( no legs) ex squaddie carrying on like that

 

[joinerjohn]

So obviously set up , for the benefits of the camera the "Disabled" person is carrying and filming with.
I really object to disabled people who think the world and his dog owes them all these god given rights. " I want to get on a train!" " I want to get on the bus!" " I want to go in this shop!" etc etc. Why can't they accept that they are disabled and just realise that the rest of the world doesn't " Owe them a living?" "Have to bend over backwards?" Have to make "special and costly alterations to everything for them?"

If they want to be treated the same as the rest of us. then don't expect to be treated any differently.

Sorry if I sound like I don't care for disabled people... I do , but quite a lot of them play this disabled card for everything they can.

 

[Norcon]

Surely its not the guards job to put a ramp down.
If they were injured then who do they claim from as they are not trained in laying ramps.

 

[nickso]

maybe it's cos he's "black".

 

[imamartian]

well for me, i think 'public' transport should cater for the 'whole' public... that's disabled included. However, i object to this video because this guy is make a very poor point.... it's said on here earlier... you're only seeing a snippet, and you don;t know anything about the guy or the guards...


so it's pro-disabled propoganda which is rubbish.,,, deliver more facts, rather than a half baked story...

 

[big-all]

i havent got a clue what went on there as my sound didnt work
but as an ex train driver the possible problem could be un manned stations where perhaps there is no ramp or maybe 2 people or special access required
officialy the driver can not assist a wheel chair for safety reasons but i always would help if time permitted

 

[ChrisR]

I think all these wheelchair access installations are just preparations for a Dalek invasion.

 

[Mickymoody]

There are a couple of issues here; one electric wheelchair users were banned from using metrolink system in Manchester, due to the users being excessive on the controls, and driving out when not at a station, I'm unsure if that issue is resolved. Careless driving on the roads gets a ban, careless use of a motorised vehicle? Sue the operator.

2nd, the ramp wasn't required, if the wheelchair was manual, then the chair can be tipped, and easily installed. But as it's electric, it can't be manually pushed, so requires a ramp. But as a ramp isn't normally used as the platform is level, not required. Assistance, but no ramp.

Additionally, the setup of the trainset, means that the user would have to remain in the end coach, as the seating area is too narrow to negotiate. That means that if there was an emergency evacuation, due to a fire or other incident, then all passengers trying to escape, would come across a wheelchair, blocking their exit.

We've been fine with corridor coaches for 100 years, but the PC brigade sprung up. Now access to all, even if it means that a disabled person blocks my exit in an emergency, thats PC gone bad.

Just PR, and bad PR at that.

"Ooh look! I can't get into my historic bank facade", lets rip it all down in the name of PC. A cause that isn't a cause, accept your liabilities.

 

[kevindgas]

disgraceful behaviour by the guard, wether or not the wheelchair guy is right or wrong
we run a trip boat on the canal where i'm one of the skippers, (charity volunteer run) we have a light weight ramp that can be put in place within 20 seconds to get the disabled/less abled on to the boat (we then have a wheelchair lift to get down to boat floor level) so there is no reason that a train company cannot afford the same

i also agree that public transport should be accessable to all not just the able bodied
all our local buses have a drop axle on the nearside and the stops are raised so that wheeled things / the less able can get on and off easily,

hang your heads in shame Northern Rail!!

 

[big-all]

disgraceful behaviour by the guard, wether or not the wheelchair guy is right or wrong
we run a trip boat on the canal where i'm one of the skippers, (charity volunteer run) we have a light weight ramp that can be put in place within 20 seconds to get the disabled/less abled on to the boat (we then have a wheelchair lift to get down to boat floor level) so there is no reason that a train company cannot afford the same

i also agree that public transport should be accessable to all not just the able bodied
all our local buses have a drop axle on the nearside and the stops are raised so that wheeled things / the less able can get on and off easily,

hang your heads in shame Northern Rail!!

i dont think its that clear cut

the gaurd had obviously explained to the man probably several times and was probably getting bored with his sniping

the man in the wheel chair certainly had an agenda in trying to demonise the staff he might as well shouted ouch ouch stop hitting me

it sounds to me like they had told him to get a more conventional later train

 

[kevindgas]

it sounds to me like they had told him to get a more conventional later train

?? as most of these services are run by tesco trolley trains how would he do that? also a lot of these lines only get a few trains a day.

its about time that the train operators were made to provide trains suitable for all to use. our local buses and trains have managed it so therefore Northern can do so too.
its ****poor management that allowed these crocks of ****e on the rails in the first place!! i'm sure the complaint would be upheld if he went down the DDA act route and it would cost the train operator a damn sight more than a few aluminium ramps would!