Man with spina bifida spurned by bus company - again

Access for disabled people has hit the news again, as a man with spina bifida has been denied access to a bus - on two separate occasions.

Jamie Wildman from Hitchin has spina bifida. He doesn't have a car, so relies on buses to get around. Yet when he went to catch his local bus, he was told that he couldn’t get on because they didn't have wheelchair access.

Jamie complained about the way he was treated and received an apology from the company, only to have the same thing happen again within a fortnight.

Shocked by the treatment he received, Jamie contacted his local paper, the Comet, who featured the story. When Jamie was denied access for a second time, ITV News Anglia picked up on the story, which is also gaining momentum via social media.

Shine works to support people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Commenting on the treatment Jamie has received, Dave Isom, Shine Development Manager, said:

“It’s very frustrating! In the 21st century there’s a law to enshrine the rights and equality for disabled people and it’s pretty poor to hear that this is happening.”

The bus company Arriva has apologised again to Jamie, citing the use of non-accessible buses on occasion to cover for breakdowns. They have promised to “follow this further report up with the depot and make them aware of the additional problems Mr Wildman has experienced." (ARRIVA spokesperson)

One wonders what it will take for Jamie to have the same access as anyone else.