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| Several thousand journeys hit by Dial a Ride charges http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21664 |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Thu Mar 21, 2013 2:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Several thousand journeys hit by Dial a Ride charges |
Several thousand journeys hit by Dial a Ride charges MORE than seven thousand journeys by elderly people each year in Winsford will be affected by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s (CWAC) decision to start charging for a free mini bus service. Cheshire Community Development Trust figures show 7,304 trips were made on Dial a Ride last year in the town, and 10,850 in Northwich. New £3 each way charges for the door to door transport service start on April 1. The charges follow reduced bus routes throughout Winsford and impending CWAC Hackney Carriage laws expecting cabbies to spend £26,500 on a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV). Age UK and Winsford Taxi Drivers’ Association are calling on CWAC to complete impact assessments on taxi and Dial a Ride changes in light of reduced bus provision. Dave Edwards from the Winsford Taxi Drivers’ Association (WTDA) said: “It’s absolutely crazy. The council provide a bus pass for pensioners that can’t use busses because the busses don’t exist anymore, and they’re stopping taxi drivers earning a living. “It’s the withdrawal of services for those members of the community that need it the most. “This is a council that isn’t listening and that chooses not to find the evidence before taking away services for the vulnerable. “It’s 1960s paternalistic politics that doesn’t recognise the dignity of disabled people.” Ken Clemens, CEO of Age UK added: “The changes proposed to the Dial a Ride regulations will not help to address the level of isolation and loneliness experienced by far too many of our older population, especially those whose restricted mobility makes it hard to get about and socialise. “The impact of the changes to Dial a Ride may well end up costing the local tax payer far more, as people will become isolated, less socially connected, and this in tune will lead to the requirement of more frequent and more expensive interventions, that could lead to even more pressure on our hard pressed acute services.” CWAC says Dial a Ride changes will save tax payers £165,000 each year and that they corresponded widely before announcing that all newly registered Hackney Carriages throughout Vale Royal will be WAVs by April 2013. source; http://www.winsfordguardian.co.uk/news/ ... es/?ref=nt |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Several thousand journeys hit by Dial a Ride charges |
Poke the dial a bus. Get a taxi/PH. |
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| Author: | Nidge2 [ Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Several thousand journeys hit by Dial a Ride charges |
No doubt they'll subsidise that with a bid for a few school runs. |
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| Author: | skippy41 [ Thu Mar 21, 2013 10:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Several thousand journeys hit by Dial a Ride charges |
Cannot understand Cheshire wanting an all wav fleet with the LC report coming soon allegedly. What happens if the LC decide that 70% must be saloons |
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| Author: | toots [ Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Several thousand journeys hit by Dial a Ride charges |
skippy41 wrote: Cannot understand Cheshire wanting an all wav fleet with the LC report coming soon allegedly. What happens if the LC decide that 70% must be saloons I don't think it is the LC remit to decide what % should be WAVs |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Several thousand journeys hit by Dial a Ride charges |
toots wrote: I don't think it is the LC remit to decide what % should be WAVs correct - that's still going to be down to LA's |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Several thousand journeys hit by Dial a Ride charges |
captain cab wrote: toots wrote: I don't think it is the LC remit to decide what % should be WAVs correct - that's still going to be down to LA's To a degree, but not IMO anywhere near the powers they have at present. Post New Act councils will be able to have a 100% WAV hackney fleet, or a 0% WAV hackney fleet. |
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