This is a great question😋. When I was younger, some few years into using my crutches, I could easily fit on the aisle of chairs next to the tout/conductor. But as I grew, it was difficult to bend my knees especially my right knee which has a small angle of movement. So before I board a matatu, I check to see if the front seat is empty, if not I don't board. It's easier for me to seat at the front cause at the back, it requires me to bend my knees and if I'm in that position for long, I have a hard time when alighting. I'm fortunate that there are people who would gladly offer their front seat next to the driver for me, but something in me also feels bad cause its also an inconvenience for them and that moment for me is always awkward for me.
I'd say we need public service vehicles with good space in between the seats, a lesser steep climb so that it's easier to board especially with buses and also reasonable fares for using means like uber/bolt so that it doesn't feel like one pays extra for being differently abled.
@MikkiTarz thanks for the feedback, it's really information, situation kwa ground 😊. I equally have the same challenge and experience the same. Sometimes I know even getting the front seat is a hustle, some people don't care at all.
For the eight years I have been on a wheelchair I have not used public means of transport because there no way it would work for me. Reason one is the fact that I use a power wheelchair which doesn’t fold and this makes it very hard to put it in the boot. I suppose every wheelchair user experiences this issue and I have heard stories of wheelchairs being mishandled while using public means. The alternative is using taxis but those can be quite expensive
I've had an experience with both sides of the divide. I can relate to @Wilie experience when I used to wear callipers and I can relate to @MikkiTarz experience after surgery on my toes backfired. I've also used private taxis such as Bolt but the same challenge of space kwa boot always comes up and sometimes drivers change the category of their vehicles just to charge you more.
The worst experience however was one time a matatu alighted me some meters to my destination on a wet muddy road in the rain..Worse of it was on a Sunday morning and the place was near empty..Hapa ndio mtu hujikaza by turning your anger to determination just to get from the rain and avoid pneumonia.
Best experience is travelling from Juja to Town free of charge and coming back free. Apparently Super Metro were appreciating there customers that day😄
Alot needs to be done starting with a ramp for the wheelchair and a space for it inside the bus