Disabled student refused access to Coventry bus

A DISABLED student was outraged when he was told he couldn't get on a bus because his wheelchair was too big.

The bus pulled away and left 23-year-old James Cullis at the side of the street.

The Warwick University student, of Gibbet Hill, Coventry, was ready to get on board a bus in New Union Street, city centre, last Thursday lunchtime.

But the driver refused to let him on. James says the driver told him the wheelchair was too large to get on the vehicle.

James, who was born with cerebral palsy, usually pays for a Daysaver ticket but had to shell out £10 for a taxi to get home.

He was waiting for the bus after shopping for food with his carer in the city centre.

The full-time Warwick University student, who has just finished his masters in politics and is waiting for the results, has never been denied access to the No 12 bus before.

James said: "I got so angry and lost my temper - he didn't even drive the bus up to the pavement to give me a chance.

"He said my wheelchair was too big for the bus and drove off.

"The law says disabled people have a right just like anybody else to go on public transport.

"Something must be done to stop this happening again. I want to take this further - they can't get away with treating people like that.

"This was a legal infringement of my rights and as a member of the public I deserve to use the service without this problem."

A spokesman for Travel Coventry said: "We would like to publicly apologise to Mr Cullis.

"We carry hundreds of disabled people on our buses every day and have launched an investigation into the particular incident.

"It seems that we have not hit our usual high standards of customer care but we wish to welcome him back on board our bus as soon as possible."