The truth is out there I think, it's just I'm not sure who's truth is true.
Disabled Brackley woman who cancelled taxi the day before told she owes them money
A disabled woman says she has been told to pay for a taxi journey she had cancelled due to illness a day earlier. Christine Newton says the car turned up at her home in Brackley anyway and she maintains she was later told by the firm - Bracxi - she "owes" them money and, later, "not to book" with them again.
The 52-year-old, who has nerve damage in her legs, arms and back along with suffering from emphysema, bipolar disorder and plantar fasciitis, says her health issues started at the beginning of the country's lockdown in March 2020. As a result of her conditions, which mean she is sometimes unable to walk, she must make regular hospital visits.
Her partner Dean is her full-time career and they moved to Brackley from Cardiff in January, with the rural area making her feel "safe and secure". However, the couple do not have a car, so rely on taxis. To complicate matters further, Christine fractured her wrist within six days of them moving into the area.
She said: "I have used two taxi firms regularly from day one and I have been happy with the services provided and have also given both tips for the journey. I have had to go to the hospital most weeks which costs us roughly £30 to get to Horton Hospital in Banbury by taxis and buses."
After complications getting her prescription, Christine became "very ill" with withdrawal symptoms and while at an appointment on March 8, she fell and damaged her arm, leg and hip before booking an appointment the following week (March 15).
She said: "I was really starting to suffer from pain and withdrawal symptoms but I had this next appointment coming up. I booked the taxi for the following morning for an 8am.
"By the evening, I felt so unwell I asked my partner to cancel the taxi because I knew I would not be able to get to the hospital. When my partner rang at 10.30 pm to cancel, it went to an answering machine and he left a message to explain the situation and gave our phone number so they would know the booking
"The taxi was cancelled. We did ring and we did cancel so therefore we did the right thing." However, the following morning, she claimed she had woken up to two missed calls and had been sent messages saying her taxi had arrived before another three minutes later saying "I am pulling off now, you owe us £11".
After Christine tried to explain she had left a message cancelling the appointment, the driver said "don't call us for service unless this is paid" and another message which said "cool". She said: "I was shocked at the message. We could not ring them again until we paid £11."
A week later she contacted another firm to book a ride to an appointment. However, it could not provide a car at the right time. She said "I could not ring Bracxi.
"I knew I had to get that scan done, so my partner helped me walk to Brackley to get a bus. I had to sit down a lot walking down the bypass as I was in pain with my legs and was getting out of breath a lot."
It has led to further missed appointments and Christine has described the whole situation as "unfair" and saying she has done "nothing wrong". She added: "We have never caused any drivers here any problems. I pretty much stick to appointments if it is early in the morning which it was.
"Do I want an apology? Yes, I damn well do. No doubt we are being judged regarding where we live and treated badly.
"It is such a lovely safe peaceful place to live after what happened to me but now I can only ring one taxi firm and if they can't help, I can't go anywhere.
"What a wonderful way to treat a disabled customer that depends on the taxi service. I am absolutely disgusted and I want this highlighted because I don't want this happening to anyone else. Shame on them."
Northants Live has contacted Bracxi for comment but they have not replied at the time of publication.
