The act aims to make all taxis in the UK, wheel- chair accessible by the year 2012.
On the face of it you might think this an admirable objective.
What the act does not recognise however is
that, not all disabled people are in wheel chairs.
Taxis are used by people with a wide range of disabilities, differing degrees
of mobility and ages. The vehicles that are being imposed upon the taxi trade
are not able to fulfil the needs of the majority of the elderly, disabled
or persons with any other infirmity.
It appears to me that this is a group of politicians
scoring points, making headlines, being politically correct. Sacrificing the
taxi industry and the mobility of the elderly, on a scheme, that has not been
thought through.
Bristol city council, who are never slow
to pick up a stupid idea, have decided to make the entire taxis fleet, 100%
wheel chair accessible by 2008. Four years before the government’s planned
date.
Drivers of saloon taxis are no longer allowed to replace their vehicles with
another saloon. If the driver is unwilling or unable to finance the purchase
of these very expensive vehicles, then that driver must leave the trade.
The population of our nation is living longer, we have more older people now
than we have ever had and it is going to go on getting older.
So let us start talking some common sense.
If we have a mixed fleet of saloons and wheel-chair accessible vehicles, this
might meet the needs of many more people.
If on the other hand, you have a fleet of just wheel-chair accessible vehicles; there will be a lot of people who will be deprived the use of a taxi. They will then become subject to discrimination.
So if you are elderly, arthritic or just not able to get in and out of these vehicles tell your councillor. They won’t listen, because it won’t make headlines, but tell them anyway.