A Melbourne man with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who uses a mobility scooter says a tram driver repeatedly refused to deploy a ramp to help him board so he could get to hospital for treatment, and he had to be lifted on by passengers.

Sean Cox, who has MS, says he was angered and embarrassed when the driver refused to let him board the number 19 tram at Royal Parade and Brunswick Road on three consecutive days.

“Even though they’re all kitted out, they’ve all got ramps, [the drivers] are saying ‘No, the manager says we can’t put the ramp down’,” Mr Cox told 774 ABC Melbourne.

“This morning was really embarrassing. There was a whole lot of regulars on the tram who said, ‘I’ve seen you arguing every day with the tram driver’.”

A spokeswoman for Yarra Trams told the ABC the ramps were only for emergency situations and not to be used to help passengers board the trams at old stops.

“There’s not enough space at the older safety stops, not enough room to safely get up to the top of the ramp,” the spokeswoman said.

“We’ll be speaking with our drivers to make sure they’re aware of the use of the tram ramps.”

Source: Global Accessibility News