The Clunes-based disabled pensioner, who was twice left abandoned after trying to catch a V/Line bus, has spoken of his relief as the transport company agreed to sort the issue out.
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John Condon will meet on Monday with a V/Line coaches coordinator and Trotters representative to discuss his unfortunate experiences which occurred in October, where the 69-year-old was denied access to a coach by the same driver on two separate occasions.
Mr Condon and his daughter Selena had registered complaints with V/Line over what they described as “disability discrimination”, but it wasn’t until they told their story to The Courier that they received a response.
“It is a relief to know that something is happening at least, instead of paying for a ticket, fronting up to the station and being knocked back again,” Mr Condon said.
“Expect the fact that I'm a bit cantankerous, there are others that would probably just sweep these things under the carpet. That's not going to help anyone though.
“Monday’s meeting with V/Line will help clarify the situation. There's got to be a lot of other people in the same boat.”
V/Line released a statement saying it was concerning to hear about the incident involving Mr Condon.
The company apologised that alternative transport was not provided.
The Courier’s Facebook page was flooded with messages of support from readers and offers to assist Mr Condon.
“It was really nice to see lots of offers of people wanting to come and pick Dad up to bring him into town,” Selena Condon said.
“It was so kind and gracious. It shows how concerned Ballarat people are with others in the community.
“At the same time in Dad's case he just wants independence as well.”
Ms Condon hopes Monday’s meeting will be productive.
“They are going to have to sort out the situation,” she said. “It would be even worse if he got on one bus and then when he was trying to get back home they did this and left him stranded in Ballarat.
“That's frightening.”
Mr Condon said he accepted the suggestion to catch the train, however the issue was only one service runs through Clunes daily, departing at 7.30am and not returning until 6.30pm.
He said V/Line needs to be more specific on its website about mobility scooter specifications, because his “ticked all the boxes”.
“The problem is the government is trying to provide better access for people with disabilities and it's not filtering down the line,” he said.
“There's funding to bus companies, but then they aren't providing the service.”
