Well this chap here isn't too impressed by the £5k grants.
I suppose it depends on various factors, but I don't think £5k and a bit off fees is too shabby, particularly if you already run a bigger vehicle for other purposes, maybe.
As an independent owner-driver mainly working the ranks, it certainly wouldn't tempt me, though
(And it seems to be 'up to' £5k, so maybe it has to be at the very top end in terms of purchase cost to qualify for the grant, and might not be available on a £20k second hand WAV, say.)
As for the fare rise, as I always say, he could always replate
I mean, there can't be that much rank work in Montrose...
(Montrose is my place of birth that I always put down if asked, although I was actually born in a village 13 miles along towards Stonehaven.)
Angus taxi operator hits out at ‘insulting’ £50k plan to boost wheelchair vehicle fleethttps://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/54 ... criticism/Grants to help buy new wheelchair accessible taxis are among options being considered by Angus Council to improve local provision for disable passengers.https://wpcluster.dctdigital.com/wp-con ... 46x564.jpgOne of the largest taxi operators in Angus has branded a £50,000 plan to put more wheelchair accessible vehicles on the road an “insult” to the trade.
This month, councillors agreed to investigate options which might help improve provision for disabled passengers.
A 2025 survey revealed Angus had only nine wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs).
Grants of up to £5,000 to help buy new taxis and reduced fees for WAVs are among ideas being looked at.
The money will come from a dedicated £50,000 fund agreed as part of this year’s council budget.
Montrose operator criticises Angus wheelchair taxis plan
However, Neil Gibson of Lorimer Cabs in Montrose says the proposals are unlikely to be any incentive to a trade in crisis.
His fleet of ten vehicles is one of the biggest in Angus.
But he says the sums being offered under the new scheme are an “insult”.
Mr Gibson also claims a lengthy delay in introducing a fares increase has cost his business tens of thousands of pounds.
https://wpcluster.dctdigital.com/wp-con ... 8dgwu1.jpg“The figures they are talking about aren’t even a drop in the ocean, they’re an insult,” he said.
“To buy a new wheelchair vehicle you’re probably looking at £40,000 to £50,000.
“You wouldn’t want to buy a second-hand vehicle that’s rattling and could come with a load of repair costs.
“Where am I going to find the extra money to add to £5,000?
“It’s ridiculous because I haven’t been able to make what I could because the rates haven’t been put up.
“We do around 1,500 trips a week so that delay has cost probably £50,000 in turnover.
“That’s something I could invest in a wheelchair accessible vehicle.”
Angus taxi firms face rocketing costsHe added: “The cost of repairs to vehicles has gone through the roof.
“In a fleet of ten vehicles I’m facing four huge bills just now.
“On top of that, if you’re an operator like myself you have to pay drivers, office staff and everything else.
“And every taxi driver has been hit by the rise in fuel costs.
“The rates went up almost exactly to the day fuel started to really go up and its an extra £2,000 a month for me.
“I feel the council has been asking me to work with my hands cuffed behind my back.
“So to be offering things like a reduction of a couple of hundred pounds in a fee for a wheelchair taxi is an insult.”
A council spokesperson confirmed the authority agreed new fares in August 2025.
However, their introduction was delayed due to the decision of the council’s civic licensing committee being appealed to the Traffic Commissioner.
“The appeal was not successful and the committee’s decision came into effect on March 6 2026,” said the council.
Wheelchair taxi situation not unique to AngusMr Lorimer added: “Wheelchair accessible taxis are an issue throughout Scotland.
“If you’re a wheelchair user it must be awful that you can’t easily get a taxi.
“There’s such insignificant usage it’s hard to justify buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
“Because it’s a conversion, you’re losing a seven-seater vehicle down to a four-seater vehicle.
“The bottom line on wheelchair accessible taxis that drivers don’t like them.
“I’ve had seven in my time and other customers also don’t want to get transported in them.”
“There is maybe potential for other organisations such as day care centres, with suitable vehicles and insured drivers, to have a transport hub network.”
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