Blind man with a guide dog claims he was forced to sit on the FLOOR of a Virgin train by conductor and ignored by heartless passengers
Roger Debman and his guide dog Nevin were seen hunched up between carriages as he travelled between Liverpool and Peterborough
A BLIND man claims he was forced to sit on a Virgin train floor for two-and-a-half hours while "ignorant" passengers sat in disabled seats.
A shocking picture has emerged of Roger Debman and his guide dog Nevin hunched up between carriages on a journey between Liverpool and Peterborough.
The 56-year-old claims train staff allowed able-bodied passengers to sit in seats reserved for the disabled.
He alleges a conductor pointed to the floor and instructed him to "sit there". Virgin have now apologised to Roger and pledged to investigate.
Furious Roger said: “It’s close to fraud. I’ve had two heart attacks, a stroke, I have a pacemaker - and I’ve to sit on the floor?"
The former businessman from Liverpool needs to use seating designed for the disabled because it provides enough space to keep his dog out of the aisle.
He booked the journey in advance for himself and his wife, Debra, but says Virgin gave him no option to reserve a disabled seat.
He said today: "My wife asked the conductor and he told us there was no seats and to just 'sit there'. The conductor told me to sit where I was.
"I can't do the conductor's job for him but the bottom line is it says disabled seats and if a disabled person gets on you should give up your seat.
"Passengers were ignoring me, happy-as-larry. You just get used to it. It shows the ignorance that's about towards disabled people.
"It's a joke. It happens regularly. I’ve had to sit on the floor before. I’m used to it."
Roger and his wife were travelling from Liverpool to Peterborough to celebrate his sister's birthday.
Posting about his experience on Facebook, Roger said: “This is how Richard Branson transports registered blind people and guide dogs on his trains.
“Forced to sit on the floor because the guard would not clear the suitable seating. If you think this is wrong please share this so Mr Branson gets the message.”
Janet Russell responded: “Sorry it’s not Branson.... but selfish b*****s that wouldn’t move their fat asses out of the designated seats."
Pat De Roeck commented: “That is bloody disgusting and I can’t believe anyone of those passengers didn’t help that man and his dog get a seat shame on then and as for Richard Branson well words fail me!!!”
On his return trip, this time with London Midland, he was again unable to find an available disabled seat because they were occupied by able-bodied passengers.
He used a regular seat meaning Nevin had to sit in the aisle resulting in complaints from other passengers.
Roger said: "He had to lay in the aisle.
"With looks of disgust because users had to climb over him some even tutted as they climbed over."
Virgin Trains said priority seats are available for customers travelling with guide dogs. They recommended reserving the seats in advance.
The spokesman added: “We have been in touch with Mr Debman to apologise for his experience and to fully investigate what happened.
"Thousands of passengers with disabilities travel with us every year and 94 per cent of those using our Journey Care assistance programme are pleased with the helpfulness of our staff.
"If seats have not been reserved in advance, we will always do our best to seat customers with guide dogs, but this relies on the co-operation of other customers to free up priority seats.”
A spokesman for London Midland said: “We have priority seating on these trains, so if he had used our free assistance service we could easily have accommodated Mr Debman and Nevin.”
