Kane Mcqueen says he attempted to catch a GoBus service in Brockville Rd last Friday but was turned away by its driver because his wheelchair is battery-powered. Mr Mcqueen suffers debilitating arthritis and cannot use a push wheelchair.
He had taken public transport in the past without issue and could not understand the change in heart by service operators.
''I rang the company and the woman said `hold on, I will put you on hold to be recorded' and, when she came back, she said `we don't take those wheelchairs any more','' he said.
By the time he got home, he had missed his hospital appointment and could not afford a taxi because he was on a benefit.
The bus he attempted to catch was labelled as wheelchair-accessible and had a ramp on it.
''I could see the ramp folded up at the back that they just needed to pull down,'' he said.
''He [the bus driver] said `it's just because it's got a battery in it', but it's actually smaller than a normal push wheelchair.
''It's quite rude because I have seen other people in powered chairs get on buses and they seem to be fine.''
Otago Regional Council support services manager Gerard Collings said the bus was not ''under the control of the ORC''.
''It is very difficult to comment on this case without all the specific details involved,'' he said.
''All passengers with motorised wheelchairs are advised in ORC's bus guidelines to contact the operator directly to confirm that their chair can be taken on their local bus service.
''There are some weight restrictions for motorised wheelchair access, and ORC's bus guidelines state that disabled users should contact their operator to confirm access.''
He invited Mr Mcqueen to contact the council to discuss the incident and said there were other options available if the public transport system was not appropriate.
GoBus did not respond to Otago Daily Times' attempts to gain comment.
Mr Mcqueen hoped GoBus would change its policy and allow battery-powered wheelchairs.
