Steph’s back on the bus
Back in action: Steph Spokes and her partner John Hulls are relieved she is able to travel on the V/Line bus once again.
AFTER being banned from the V/Line bus four months ago, Steph Spokes and her pink scooter are back in action.
Ms Spokes and her partner John Hulls of Leongatha were told in February they were no longer able to store her scooter in the carriage compartment below the bus despite having previously travelled with it without any problems.
Mr Hulls said V/Line customer centre manager, Greville Dawson, arranged a meeting with them after he was alerted to their dilemma through articles printed in The Star.
“He contacted us and arranged to meet at the V/Line depot in Leongatha,” he said.
“He was happy to come from Melbourne to meet us.”
Ms Spokes can now transport her scooter in the carriage compartment below the bus once again, but with one minor alteration; the scooter must be tied onto the frame of the bus.
“The size is fine. All we have to do is call them 24 hours before to let them know we’ll be using the bus service,” Mr Hulls said.
“The only difference is that we have to tie it down.”
Ms Spokes said it was a “huge relief” to be able to use the bus service again.
“I’m a bit concerned it’s taken so long, and I wish it hadn’t, but there’s no ill effect from it,” she said.
“The representatives from V/Line said it wasn’t a special case and they do it all the time.”
Ms Spokes and Mr Hulls both said they wanted the public to know about their plight so people with similar handicaps don’t find themselves in a similar situation and feel they are stranded.
Mr Dawson said he was pleased he could help Ms Spokes with her transport issue.
“In this instance we were able to meet with Steph and John and our bus operator, and together we found a solution,” he said.
“If any customers have any difficulty in travelling with us, we would always encourage them to get in contact with us on 1800 800 007 first.
“Where we can we will always work with our customers to find a reasonable solution to problems.”
Short URL: /?p=3995
Posted by 
