Scottish Citylink

I travelled with Citylink return journey from Perth to Glasgow. My experience in Perth was fine, all went smoothly. However, Glasgow Buchanan Street was not. The driver on the journey from Perth to Glasgow was lovely, he was instructed to park on the concrete (instead of utilising a raised island for the ramp) when he pulled in at Glasgow meaning the ramp was very steep. I now know it should’ve been parked next to raised kerb so the gradient of the ramp was not so steep, but I did not know this time. In defence of this particular driver he did his best and my chair could manage the steep incline downwards, okay although it did not feel particularly smooth. The return journey was not good. The driver was quite unpleasant, made a song and dance about having to secure the wheelchair when we got on the coach. This was after him parking so that the ramp had to go onto the concrete not raised kerb creating an almost vertical incline that my chair could not manage upwards. The only assistance he offered was he could help push the power chair up the ramp but a power chair can’t be pushed when the motor is going. I booked assistance in advance and offered all the information needed, my chair fitted within the maximum dimensions and weight limit comfortably. I tried and failed a number of times to get up the ramp and eventually managed after 6 or 7 attempts but the chair was making really unhealthy noises and I only persisted because they told me there was nothing else they could do if I couldn’t get up that ramp I wasn’t going on the bus. I’m going to put in a complaint to Citylink. This is my first experience so I can’t tell if this is normal or if it was exceptionally bad today.

city link coaches are scotland national express I travel a lot on these coaches they take front seat out they have a lift the steps move in and the lift takes you into the coach if you have difficulty with steps you can book the use of the lift I get really travel sick on local buses because we have to sit backwards but on the coach because wheelchair users are facing forward I don't have that problem I normally travel from edinburgh to glasgow on city link yesterday I went on the city link gold from edinburgh to Aberdeen I went with 2 friends it was a very nice journey added bonus on city link gold journeys is you get free refreshments on board if you have a scotland wide disabled/elderly bus pass you can get on for free on all city link coach trips a lot of wheelchair users don't realise this coach is accessible also if you are blind for example staff will help you and your guide dog on if needed they are very helpfull I use a small wheelchair good to book space only 50 p