Too fat to ride the bus?
By mslena75
@mslena75 (561)
United States
February 18, 2010 5:59pm CST
There was a 500lb man who had used the bus system in his community for 2-3 years, always to get to the store and also attend his doctor's appointments. He would get up on the bus and then the driver would load his electric cart on the lift behind him. The approximate weight of the cart was around 200lb. Apparently there is a weight limit of 600lbs on these buses, so when he went to renew his pass, they denied him. To add to the degradation, they requested that he go down to the bus station and weigh on an industrial scale so that they could document his weight...which he adamantly refused.
This guy had been in a nursing home for some time and lost around 200lbs (he originally weighed in the 700lb range). He depends on the community transportation to get around and to his medical appointments. I think this story is appalling. Why is it that making fun of fat people is that last acceptable form of discrimination in this country? I feel for him and think this community should be ashamed. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of outward appearance.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@climber7565 (2579)
• United States
19 Feb 10
Well I can see your point, and of course I don't condone that behavior. Still we should also consider more to that topic. What are your considerations on the side effects and safety consequences regarding the rest of commuters? and not to mention technical limitations on mechanical components to a bus? I would think is very expensive to accommodate one or maybe 20 overweight commuters, who's weight is so extreme. I think its that person's responsibility to also make appropriate arrangements for commuting and not expect everyone to adjust to those needs.
@mslena75 (561)
• United States
19 Feb 10
In certain instances, you may very well have valid points. I don't buy any of that in this case though because this man had been riding the bus for a few years with no problems at all. If his weight had severe consequences for the transportation equipment, they would have known long before now. My issue that the eyeballed this man and some unqualified peon (no doubt) made a judgement call and that was it. As for being responsible for his transportation...he was! He paid for it! Do you think poor people should also make accomodation if they cannot afford to purchase a vehicle and keep up the maintenance on it?!
@climber7565 (2579)
• United States
19 Feb 10
well I wonder if there are more facts that can help us understand it all. See, we don't know if that person is poor for sure, we also don't know what the transportation company may have done all those years to best assist, other then that bus being already equipped with a lift for his chair, chances are good the lift was also for him, since his weight is so high. May people regardless of the situations and conditions love to embrace the system and lean on it for survival too.
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
19 Feb 10
Perhaps you should attend the next city council meeting and bring this topic up. Make other residents aware of this. I cannot imagine a bus needing a weight limit! Write a letter to the bus company and try to get the names of those in charge, like the CEO's. Contact the state representative.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
19 Feb 10
Hi, mslena75! I agree with you. People should treat others as they would like to be treated!! Regardless of body size or not. And no one has the right to make fun of others too. People know better than to treat him like this. Yes, this community should be ashamed of themselves. They should adhere to his needs. That just shows that we still have ignorant people in this world that is mean and uncaring. I am glad that I accept others for who they are and not what I see on the outside.
@tdiamond33 (330)
• Canada
19 Feb 10
Let he without sin cast the first stone. That's my philosophy. Someone should not be judged on their appearance or anything at all. I feel that if the bus truly could accept his weight limit, they should not of denied him at all. Now if the bus could not support the extra weight then I feel it would just be the driver following procedure. I was always taught that the bus service was for the people. No matter who it is.
