Taxi Driver Online

Text-a-taxi launched in Leeds


AN exclusive "text-a-taxi" service is being launched in Leeds to help the deaf and hard of hearing lead more independent lives.


Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People has teamed up with Leeds firm Premier Cars on the innovative project that will allow deaf, hearing impaired and speech-impaired people to book a taxi simply by sending a text message from their mobile phones.

Ringing a cab is something most people take for granted but it can be an impossible task for deaf customers.

From Friday they will have the freedom to book taxis immediately or in advance, without having to rely on someone else to make the call for them.

Andrew Newdall, founder of private-hire firm Premier Cars, said: "For the first time within Leeds, members of the public who are deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired and have access to a mobile phone will be able to book a taxi for themselves.

Message

"They will have the facility to have two-way communication via text message to make the booking and receive confirmation from Premier Cars."

Mr Bojas, a social worker from the Leeds society, contacted Mr Newdall when he realised there was an opportunity to work together to benefit the people he worked with.

Shirley Caldwell, a regular user of the society's services, said: "It will definitely give me more freedom to do what I want to do without having to ask my neighbours to call me a taxi."

Under the new, one-of-a-kind system, deaf, hearing impaired and speech-impaired people will be able to pick up a business card featuring an exclusive SMS (short message service) mobile number which can be used to contact Premier Cars.

Anyone interested in trying the service can pick up a card from Premier Cars in Leeds, go to www.premiercars leeds.co.uk or drop in to the society at Centenary House, Leeds, or Shire View Centre, Headingley.

But, a spokeswoman stressed, the service is solely for deaf, hearing impaired and speech impaired people – not general private-hire clients.

There are plans for the firm's drivers to attend the society's awareness courses to enhance their skills in dealing with deaf and deafblind issues as well as learning basic British Sign Language to ensure they meet their clients' needs.

Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People is a small charity which offers practical solutions to encourage deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired and deafblind people of all ages to develop the confidence and skills to integrate more easily into the wider community.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

shouldnt this be text-a-PHV?

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Do the Taxi Company reply by text also..be a bit of a beggar if the they phone the Deaf Customer Back..

Is there a difference then?

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IDFIMH

Only if you don't care what kind of PHV you get. If what you want is a PH Taxi then you should text a taxi

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Its a PH firm thats pushing it, so yes

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Its a free Market..theres an opportunity for the creation of an Text-a-PHV Service..

You dont need to text a PH in Leeds you just stick your hand out and they stop and take you

I have witnessed it twice now on my 2 trips to Leeds

I wonder how many folk I will have to turn down in Yarm this Saturday,
The only wording on the bus is ****** mini bus and van hire with there phone number, I must have turned down about 35 hires last time 2 month ago

Maybe...but have the deaf people heard about it?