Taxi Driver Online

Whitby's Wheelchair Taxi To Operate For Another Year

https://www.yorkshirecoastradio.com/new ... ther-year/

Whitby’s only low access taxi will be allowed to operate for another year after Scarborough Council granted its owner an exception.

Adrian Smith of Abbey Taxis applied to the authority to recertify a Fiat Doblo which would have exceeded a council policy at the end of the month that states vehicles cannot be more than 10 years old from its registration date.

Mr Smith told members of the council’s licensing sub-committee today that the vehicle was only one of three wheelchair accessible taxis operating in Whitby and was the only one that has a low entry access point.

The vehicle, which has 40,000 miles on the clock, passed its MOT in May and is also regularly inspected by North Yorkshire County Council as it is used to take a child to and from school the town.

Mr Smith said: “The vehicle is in very good condition and has never failed a test from the borough or county council.

"We are dependent on wheelchair accessible vehicles in Whitby as we have a lot of elderly residents and a low entry vehicle, as this one is, is ideal for some of the modern electric wheelchairs.

"There is a lot of people dependent on it. To replace it the cheapest second vehicle I can find, with more mileage on than this one, is £16,000.”

Mr Smith said he hoped to operate the vehicle for another year as the Fiat would then be close to breaching the county council’s 12 year limit for vehicles used for school transport.

The committee approved the application with chairman Cllr Roberta Swiers saying it was providing a valuable service in Whitby and the surrounding area.

Makes sense to extend it especially as it clearly serves a section of the trade that many wish to avoid.

And the fact that a 10 year old cab has only done 40,000 miles.

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IDFIMH

shows that there is very little work for wavs

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

WAVs only work when the fleet is 100% WAV. Given the choice no driver would choose a WAV over a non-WAV HC. A saloon is cheaper and more efficient to run and a non-wav minibus type one can get 8 seat work. The only thing being WAV gets you is the ability to take on certain contract work.

Ultimately as harsh as it sounds, wheelchair work takes a lot longer and doesn't pay any more.