Taxi Driver Online

Disabled woman "charged £10 wheelchair fee" for taxi


A TAXI boss has vowed to halt extra charges for disabled passengers after a woman claimed she was charged £10 before even getting into the car.

Susan Roelofs, of St George's Street in west Hull, was told she was being charged extra by the Six O Cars driver because the wheelchair had to be accommodated.

Charging extra for disabled people is illegal under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Ms Roelofs, 56, said: "I ordered a taxi last week but he told me I would have to pay an extra £10 but the fare only costs £7.

"I was disgusted when I heard this.

"I didn't think this was right and I spoke to the Equality and Human Rights Commission who told me it was discrimination.

"Why should I pay more?

"If it is happening to me then there are probably others in Hull who are paying more as well.

"I understand taxi drivers have to make a living but they can't do so at the expense of those who are vulnerable.

"Many disabled people rely on taxis to get around so charging extra is really unfair.

"Those who have adapted their taxis have opened up a new set of customers, so surely they can make their money back this way."

Six O Cars boss David Smith says he will act immediately to ensure no other disabled passengers are hit by extra charges.

He said: "I have spoken to Susan, who is happy with the way we have responded and we have reimbursed her.

"Many firms in Hull aren't really aware charging extra is against the law.

"We will not now charge any extra for our disabled customers, even if it means I have to subsidise my drivers."

Mr Smith insists it has been standard procedure to charge extra for wheelchair users but welcomes any move to clarify the situation.

He said: "I have to admit, it doesn't seem morally right to charge disabled users a higher fare.

"It can cost drivers extra to adapt their vehicles, so we will help subsidise that.

"Hopefully, other taxi firms will follow suit and we will all be aware of the legislation."

Mark Baggley, co-ordinator of the Hull-based Choices and Rights Disability Coalition, admits the lack of knowledge over the Disability Discrimination Act is a concern.

He said: "Unfortunately, it is down to the individual to complain in a case like this rather than an organisation and most don't do that.

"A lot of organisations don't seem to understand the law, including taxi firms.

"I could spend my life suing people over a breach of the act and it remains a massive problem.

"It is good the Six O cars are not going to charge disabled people higher fares, but every taxi firm needs to obey the law."


Read more: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... z2ba8LwHVC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

But wheelchair jobs take a long time to load and unload will the drivers do them for the same money ? or will this firm have a million and one excuses for not accepting the booking when they phone

It's amazing round here how many firms won't do wheelchairs even though they advertise the service but can accept a booking when it's a £20 job !!!

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

This comes up time and time again.

I think it's entirely reasonable to put the meter on as soon as you get the ramps ready, and turn it off as soon as the ramps go back at the end of the job.

Else what is the point of waiting time?

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IDFIMH

the law is the law - and this firm should be prosecuted

they openly advertise wheelchair friendly vehicles on their website;

http://www.60-60-60.co.uk/

mind you they add this titbit;

Please note that for Journeys to all Main Line stations are subject to an extra £10.00 supplement.

Return Journey: An extra £5.00 charge is applicable for all airport and station pick ups.


rip off merchants imo

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Odd this one.

Its not discrimination if you charge extra for a specific car, maybe because certain cars cost more and cost more to run, if you order a more expensive car then the PH company can charge extra. Its got nothing to do with discrimination.

Its disgusting how taxi drivers and owners are let me put it nicely ''stupid'', the boss openly admits charging disabled passengers extra, he is not fit to be a base operator if I was in the council their I would push for him to have his operating licence striped, owners and drivers like that disgust me, they are truly giving the taxi industry a bad name.

As for the individual that said, well picking up disabled passengers takes more time, get your head out your black hole your a disgrace to the taxi industry people like should be educated.

free education

lesson one - what is a disability

A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.

lesson two

do not patronize someone with a disability

lesson three

I suffer from server dyslexia, this in some peoples eyes makes me disabled. I play semi professional football and I do not struggle to walk into a taxi hence it does not take me extra time to get into a taxi.

lesson four

get off your fat ass and be helpful, you would be surprised how much you make extra in tips.

lesson five

read more than just the sun and you might learn something

lesson six

your a disgrace to the taxi industry and you should be stripped of your badge

lesson seven

if that was one of your loved ones being over charged or looked down to because of their disability how would you react.

lesson eight

I drove taxis for six years, I actually used to carry an umbrella for disabled passengers if they required assistance getting in and out of the car I would make sure I kept them dry for their comfort not because I wanted more money but because i Care.

lesson nine

go educate your self in manors.

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Live life with a smile

Your right, its the vehicle type and not what it is used for that you charge.

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Live life with a smile

No it is stipulated in the rules and regs of most councils that hackneys can NOT put the meter on until finished loading I do 500 plus wheelchair jobs a year and I doubt if more than 5% of them come to more than £5 but it is something I have always done and accept the extra time involved the gains being the value addedd jobs you sometimes get where extras come into play for more than 4 passengers

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

There are a lot of things in conditions/by-laws and some of them are actually useful and legal, but not all.

So if you have an eight-seater job, and the punters come out in dribs and drabs, you don't put the meter on until the last one gets in?

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IDFIMH

End of RANT from an ex-cabbie!

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

We all forget that no one can hire a licensed taxi!

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

I am not sure if I am reading this right! Surely if a punter rings up and says I want a taxi! they (the office)will quote, and possibly send a taxi OR maybe a P.H. The point being is that this is NOT a case of a taxi/P.H out on the street over charging.............but it is a P.H office charging LEGALLY what they can/want - I do not see a problem!

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

I think in respect of PH you are right - the contract is between the operator and the customer.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

yes your right an ex private hire driver. 0 complaints in six years, made more in tips in one week than most did in a month, and went to buy out the company I was working for and ................. from 13 cars to 100 cars in two years and three months.

so maybe you need to educate your self.

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Live life with a smile

ok we got so many black cab drivers here on this forum, how many sit on rank day after day and your incoming is dropping, why not get your phone out, contact every care homes and offer your services. minimum of 30 care homes in most areas.

you get 10% response and 3% user rate, that's an extra 3 jobs a week.

Contact the local deaf, blind and disability forum. most towns have one each. Again each place will give you 3 jobs a week minimum. That's an extra 12 jobs.

contact the local deaf and blind center. That's minimum 1 job a day. thats an extra 26 jobs a week. If your good at what you do you will get recommended. sooner or later you will have no need to sit on rank.

and yes this does work.

when I was sitting on the rank, I did not sit their and read the sun, I educated my self, in this day and age we have the internet. think out side the box and act upon it,

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Live life with a smile