A leg amputee wants Bus Vannin to reverse its ban on mobility scooters.

Former Ramsey commissioner Eric Corkish was frustrated to find he was not allowed on buses with a mobility scooter.

’Buses are supposed to be disabled-friendly, but they won’t let you on with a mobility scooter. It’s ridiculous,’ he said.

Bus Vannin said it is unable to carry mobility scooters because of their ’inconsistent manoeuvrability and the issue of steep boarding and alighting gradients’ on a number of routes. Scooters can also be unstable on buses, it said, and the safety of other passengers must be considered.

Most Bus Vannin buses have ramps to aid wheelchair users with getting on and off. Floor gripping in dedicated wheelchair spaces has been installed, plus safety bars and push buttons within reach.

Mr Corkish, who lost his leg 25 years ago due to illness, said the issue was particularly relevant following the announcement of a climate change emergency.

’The government is talking about lowering carbon footprints and have made a big thing about people travelling on buses,’ he said.

He called for Bus Vannin to follow the example of bus companies in the UK which offer training to scooter users in how to use public transport safely.

The Research Institute for Disabled Consumers in the UK tells mobility scooter users they can board buses if it runs a permit scheme, their scooter meets size limits and the company has assessed those using the service safely.

Mr Corkish said there should be a map showing which island bus stops are accessible to scooter users. And he wants higher kerbs installed at bus stops so the bus is level with it when lowered.

Bus Vannin added: ’The Bus Vannin management team regularly reviews all our conditions of carriage, and should any changes be made these will be published and communicated to our customers.’