Ex-soldier sues bus firms over wheelchair ramps

John Finnie, who is paralysed from the waist down after an army accident, claims he has had problems getting on and off buses hundreds of times.

He says that on one occasion he was left locked inside a bus on his own during a bomb scare. Mr Finnie, 64, from Kingsbury, north west London, also complains that some drivers cannot be bothered to operate the retractable ramps properly and swear at him.

He is alleging disability discrimination in separate claims against Metroline, First Centrewest and London Sovereign - using records he has kept of more than 100 alleged incidents in the past year alone.

He is seeking a declaration that the bus companies have unlawfully discriminated against him and total compensation of around £15,000 for "loss of dignity".

Mr Finnie served for nine years in the Blues and Royals but was medically discharged in 1974 after a riding accident in which a horse landed on him. He has had a string of operations on his spine but became paralysed in February 2005.

He also suffers from a heart condition and relies on his electric wheelchair to get around. Mr Finnie said today: "I use the buses almost every day to go and see friends, for shopping and hospital visits.

"The majority of drivers are brilliant but half of them are not properly trained and there are a significant minority who do not give a monkey's and whose attitude stinks. I don't expect them to be fawning all over me. I just want to be treated with respect."

A Metroline spokesman said: "Every effort is made to ensure that wheelchair ramps on our vehicles are working correctly and our staff perform-in a professional manner. Any complaints of poor performance we have received from Mr Finnie have been investigated, provided we were given sufficient details, and appropriate action taken."

A London Sovereign spokesman said: "All bus ramps are checked every morning before leaving the garages and all drivers are fully trained in ramp operation."

First Centrewest said Mr Finnie's claim was being handled by the firm's solicitors. A Transport for London spokeswoman said: "Wheelchair ramps must be working when buses leave their garage in the morning and drivers receive full training in how to use this equipment."