A wheelchair user was compelled to crawl onto a bus due to a malfunctioning wheelchair lift, prompting a discrimination complaint against the public transport authority in Örebro.
A serious incident occurred involving a wheelchair user who was forced to crawl onto a bus because the wheelchair lift was out of order. This incident highlights ongoing issues with accessibility in public transport, as the individual has documented nine separate instances in 2025 where he faced difficulties boarding buses. In each instance, bus drivers either refused or were unable to assist the man access the bus using the lift, causing significant distress and humiliation.
The situation escalated to a formal complaint to the Discrimination Ombudsman (DO), which has now requested that Region Örebro compensate the man with 100,000 kronor for discrimination. The submitted complaint details that on several occasions, bus drivers attempted to lift him against his wishes, further exacerbating the discrimination issue. In a statement, Karin Henriksson, the head of the DO’s section, emphasized the responsibility of public transport authorities to meet their obligations and ensure individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against in their access to transport services.
Region Örebro has acknowledged its shortcomings in handling this matter, recognizing failures to provide adequate services as mandated by law. The implications of this incident extend beyond a personal grievance as they shed light on the broader issues of accessibility and discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities in public transport across Sweden. Such cases underline the need for focused reforms to improve inclusivity and reliability in public transportation systems.
