Was going to use slightly more sarcastic title, but thought the better of it
Council hails results of disability access to taxi survey findingshttp://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/new ... _findings/ALL taxis in Basingstoke are suitable for disabled people, a new survey has found.
In a list compiled through Freedom of Information requests, it was revealed that 100 per cent of the taxis that were licensed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council were labelled as ‘accessible’.
This compares to a 27 per cent average for the south east and a 32 per cent average for Hampshire as a whole.
There are a total of 85 accessible taxi carriages in the borough.
Robert Draper, licensing team leader at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: “Basingstoke and Deane is proud of the high standards of its hackney carriage vehicles and drivers.
“For many visitors who arrive by train, their first experience comes via a licensed vehicle and driver. For those visitors or residents who require more assistance, it is essential that they can rely upon professional drivers in specialist vehicles.
“It is good to see that these high standards are being recognised at a national level in this survey.
“All licensed hackney carriages are wheelchair accessible and all hackney carriage drivers are trained to be able to load and unload wheelchair passengers in a safe and courteous manner.
"Our licensing team work closely with the drivers and operators to maintain high standards of customer service.
“Drivers often ‘go beyond’ to ensure that passengers’ needs are met, including assisting with shopping or heavy bags.”
Basingstoke and Deane has improved on the list since the last time one was compiled, going from a ‘C’ grade to an ‘A’ grade.
In the information gained through the Freedom of Information requests, it was revealed that out of all the councils that were asked, Basingstoke and Deane was one of the councils that had already created a list under section 167.
This requires by law that taxis in the area transports wheelchair users in their wheelchair, provides wheelchair passengers with appropriate assistance and charges wheelchair users the same as non-wheelchair users to avoid discrimination.
The research was conducted by disability rights campaigner Doug Paulley, after a select committee report into the Equality Act 2010. He said: “This new research provides a mixed bag of results: while some councils have made an effort to create a list, many have fallen foul of the complex fine print in the rules, leaving most passengers unable to use the new legislation.”
“Councils alone can’t unpick the confusion. We need to see a stronger lead from the Department for Transport if disabled people are to get the tools they need to challenge overcharging and unsafe practices.”
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