A disabled woman says she is being “discriminated against” by a bus company that won’t let her bring her mobility scooter on board.
Lynne Reid (58) can barely walk but claims she has been told by McGill’s Eastern that she cannot bring the aid on their buses due to health and safety concerns about its motor.
McGill’s Eastern took over from Lothian Buses in September and she had been able to take her scooter aboard at first but then the company appeared to change its policy.
And she said it hadn’t been an issue for Lothian Buses, who simply asked her to take a test to prove she could safely handle the scooter on their vehicles.
Lynne stays in Whitecross on the border with West Lothian and Falkirk but often enjoyed trips into Linlithgow – something she says she can no longer do.
She relies on the scooter as she has a bone growth protruding from a disc in her back that effects her nerve endings meaning she struggles to walk.
She told the Courier: “When they first took over I was able to get on the bus, and I used it two to three times to get to different appointments and then about a month ago my daughter and two of my grandsons came to visit and we decided to have a trip to Falkirk on the bus.
“But the driver point-blank refused me entry on the bus with my scooter.
“I’ve not tried again since because I contacted by councillor about it and they said McGill’s will not budge on this, I’m not going to get on.
“That’s their policy now but when they first took over everybody was led to believe we’d be able to get on with the mobility scooters.
“They said the reason I can’t is because of the motors and they’re putting it down to health and
safety.
“I feel discriminated against and stuck, I can’t get out and about unless one of my carers is available but that’s only once a month, compared to when I could use the bus the when I feel okay I can go out to Linlithgow or somewhere, I can’t do that anymore.
“First Bus had me sit a little test which I did and after that I got a card that said I was allowed to use the scooter to get on and off the buses, but McGill’s won’t even let me sit the same test.”
McGill’s has been approached for a comment.
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