Call for taxi companies to provide more disabled access vehicles

Aug 30 2012 by Camilla Goodman, Buckinghamshire Examiner

Taxi companies have been called on to provide a better service for wheelchair users.

Rita Timberlake is one of the carers having problems finding a cab which can transport a disabled passenger.

Mrs Timberlake, of The Vale, Chesham, said she recently needed to book a taxi for her husband but could find only one company in Chiltern district that had a suitable vehicle.

“There’s nothing at all, apart from one driver and one taxi, which are only available at certain times,” she added.

“I think it’s awful and something needs to be done”

The Timberlakes normally use Chilterns Dial-a-Ride community transport, which can carry people in wheelchairs.

The service, which operates on weekdays, must be booked in advance and users must be members. Mrs Timberlake had tried to find a taxi for an urgent journey.

Dial-a-Ride’s transport co-ordinator, Yvonne Brown, said: “There’s nowhere near enough options for disabled people in this area and firms that do offer the service charge around double what we do.”

Council leader Nick Rose said: “I’m very sympathetic.

“I wasn’t aware of this situation, and it needs looking at.The vice-chairman of the Chiltern Taxi Drivers’ Association, Qaser Mahmood, said: “We’ve never had a large demand for special cabs to take wheelchairs.

“We do carry a lot of disabled people in normal cars and people carriers.”

All new Chiltern District Council hackney carriage licences state the vehicle must be wheelchair accessible.