Another 'driver-partner' firm
But at least the news source here has put the phrase in inverted commas, maybe suggesting the journo who wrote this is a bit dubious about the term
Cambs wheelchair user who couldn't get taxi to funeral slams 'discrimination'
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/c ... t-25968469
Panther Taxis said that changes to local council policies mean that some "driver-partners" have changed from larger wheelchair accessible and hackney carriages to smaller electric vehicles
A Cambridge man who missed a funeral because he was told that there were no wheelchair accessible taxis available has branded it "discrimination". Raphael Piran, 51, is a wheelchair user who has struggled to find taxis to help him get around Cambridge.
Mr Piran said he wanted to show his love and respect at his uncle's funeral on November 30, but was unable to attend because he couldn't find suitable transport. "I was really upset because we were close," Mr Piran said. "All my cousins said, 'where's Raph today?'"
Mr Piran said that Panther Taxis told him over the phone that they would not be able to transport him and his wheelchair. "It's like discrimination," he said.
On another occasion on August 28, Mr Piran attended a disco in Ely. He was able to get a taxi to Ely, but had difficulty finding someone to take him home.
He said that he was told that there were no wheelchair accessible taxis available. He asked for a normal taxi, but when the driver arrived, he told Mr Piran that his folded wheelchair could not go in the boot.
Mr Piran's friend showed the taxi driver that the folded wheelchair could fit in the boot and Mr Piran was taken home. "Anybody can be in a wheelchair," Mr Piran said. "[Taxis] are there to serve the public and the disabled people. How am I supposed to get about if I can't rely on them?"
"It's regrettable that Mr Piran could not get a ride with Panther Taxis," a spokesperson said. "Our team has contacted the passenger and are currently conducting an internal investigation."
Panther Taxis said in a statement that the availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles has become "increasingly challenging". The company said that the introduction of local council policies has seen some "driver-partners" change from larger wheelchair accessible and traditional hackney carriage vehicles to smaller electric vehicles.
As a result, there are 25 per cent fewer wheelchair accessible vehicles licenced in Cambridge than four years ago. Panther Taxis said that they are "fully committed to accommodating wheelchair users", by helping "driver-partners" finance the purchase of wheelchair-accessible vehicles and subsidising fares to encourage driver-partners to complete these rides.
They said that they are the only local operator or ride-hailing company who tries to facilitate wheelchair accessible rides, but that demand cannot always be met due to the "diminishing number of these vehicles available".