Taxi Driver Online

January 21, 2008 Monday

Taxi service faces axe

A TAXI service which provides a lifeline for severely disabled people faces closure.

Basildon Council will hold private talks next month over the future of the taxi scheme, which offers free and subsidised travel to about 100 residents.

The meeting comes amid concerns about poor management of the scheme, and about how some of the money has been spent once awarded to community groups.

There are also doubts about continued Government funding. Les Sherrard, a Basildon Council employee who co-ordinates the scheme, has been told his contract ends on March 31. He declined to comment.

Concerns arose after it emerged some trips were made by community group members who did not need wheelchairs or who disabled. Basildon Islamic Centre is one group which has received more than £2,000 in travel for members.

Brother Sarfraz Sarwar, head of the centre, confirmed about ten members used the service and said most were not wheelchair users.

However, he said: "I was told the service was available. We applied and were accepted. We have been told of no problems. If there was anything wrong they would have said no.

"Not all users are disabled, but there are elderly and young and people without transport who get taxis to hospital, the mosque or for other needs."

The scheme, which receives hundreds of thousands of pounds from the Department of Transport, was set up last January.

The council website says it allows free and subsidised travel for disabled and wheelchair-bound passengers who cannot use other forms of public transport, and "whose disability prevents them from transferring from a wheelchair to a conventional seat".

A council source said: "There have been problems with the running of the scheme. Once a group is accepted, they are in charge of who uses it, with no monitoring from the council."

The scheme was set up as a pilot, but it was hoped it would be expanded from April.

Terri Sargent, councillor in charge of community services, said: "There will be talks next month. I can confirm there is a question mark over its future."
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