Wiesbaden bus drivers are required to assist wheelchair users in boarding.
In the city of Wiesbaden, the local public transport operator, ESWE Verkehr, follows strict regulations to ensure accessibility for passengers with disabilities. This includes a legal obligation for ESWE bus drivers to assist wheelchair users by deploying ramps or using bus kneeling functions, when available, to ensure barrier-free access.
According to German law, such as the Equal Opportunities for Disabled Persons Act, and EU regulations, public transport providers must make their services accessible. In the case of ESWE, modern buses are typically equipped with ramps or low-floor access to facilitate wheelchair access.
However, there seems to be confusion among passengers regarding the bus drivers' duty to deploy ramps. A reader reported experiencing multiple incidents in Wiesbaden bus traffic where bus drivers did not deploy ramps for wheelchair users, despite the regulation requiring them to do so.
One such incident occurred on August 1st on line 16 in Goldsteintal. A wheelchair user and his companion wanted to alight, but the driver did not react, requiring them to deploy the ramp themselves. The specific incident in Goldsteintal on August 1st is not known to have been acknowledged by ESWE traffic.
In cases where wheelchair places are already occupied, wheelchair users have priority over passengers with rollators, prams, or bicycles. In such situations, bus drivers can make decisions about seating in "non-clear exceptional cases."
The reader also reported an incident where they posed a question to a bus driver about the duty to deploy ramps for wheelchair users, but the driver did not respond and closed the door, driving off. Despite this, ESWE traffic states that bus drivers must help passengers in wheelchairs.
In instances where the situation is unclear, bus drivers can decide who gets a seat on the bus. Wheelchair users may preferentially use the provided "special usage areas" in ESWE buses.
For those seeking more detailed information about ESWE's policy, it can be found in their accessibility guidelines or terms of service on their official channels. It is essential for all passengers to understand and respect the rights of wheelchair users in public transportation.
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