A COWDENBEATH mum has hit out at Stagecoach after she was unable to get on a bus to take her son to a vital hospital appointment.

Tracey Kerr was waiting in Broad Street with her son Mason, 2, who suffers from hydrocephalus to get the bus to the Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital.

However, when the bus pulled up, she was told his disabled buggy would not be able to be brought on and would have to be folded down and stored underneath.

Tracey, of Blamey Terrace, explained she wasn't able to do this and was furious when she was not allowed on which meant missing Mason's appointment with his neurosurgeon.

"I went to go to Edinburgh, I am always on the bus, and my boy has got a disabled buggy," she told the Times.

"The bus driver says I cannot get it on and I said it was a disabled buggy. He said it was not going on and would need to go underneath.

"He was really abrupt with me. My boy really needed to go to his appointment but he wouldn't let me on. He wanted me to put it under the bus but I cannot fold it up. He was adamant it was not going on and he just drove away. He done us proper.

"We have had it happen one time before but as soon as I explained to the driver, the driver was amazing and helped us on. I don't know why we couldn't get on this bus. I have been on it before so I was a bit upset.

"I thought it was discrimination and have emailed in to complain. It was a bit of a kick in the teeth."

A spokesperson for Stagecoach East Scotland confirmed the type of bus meant the buggy was not able to be brought on the vehicle.

"We are very sorry that the customer and her son missed a hospital appointment," they said.

"Our driving team are fully trained on helping customers with special travel requirements and try to be as helpful as possible in getting passengers to their destination.

"Unfortunately, in this case, the particular buggy involved was not able to be safely carried on the specific vehicle type operating the route. As stated in our conditions of carriage, buggies – including disabled buggies – may only be carried on suitable low floor vehicles.

"We have viewed audio-enabled CCTV of the interaction between the driver and the customer, and it shows that the driver managed the situation in a professional manner.

"Our customer service team are always happy to provide guidance to customers in advance of travel on specific accessibility issues and they can be contacted on 0345 241 8000."