In Plymouth the Taxi Fleet is 100% WAV - yet that is not enough.
Obviously they have phoned PH Operators - some of whom have no WAV vehicles.
But here is the Newspaper story.
Care worker slams Plymouth taxi firms over lack of wheelchair access
A CARE worker has criticised taxi companies for failing to provide enough wheelchair accessible vehicles at weekends – which she claims amounts to discrimination.
Sabrina Jones looks after a severely disabled woman who relies entirely on adapted taxis to get around.
But she added that on three occasions on Saturdays and Sundays over the last three months she has been unable to get a vehicle despite trying different companies.
Twice she has had to cancel hospital appointments for the woman and once they have had to go to an earlier screening of a different film because a taxi has not been available later.
Mrs Jones, who said she could not give any details of her client, said: “I think this is discrimination against disabled people not being able to access the community.”
She said that sometimes a taxi had been available for an outward journey but not the trip back.
Mrs Jones said one Saturday she was told no vehicle would be available after 1pm.
She added: “I have tried different phone numbers but on each occasion I was told no taxis were available. It is really annoying.
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The Herald contacted Crownhill Taxi’s, one of the companies Mrs Jones claims she had been in touch with to try and get a taxi for her and her care patient.
Managing Director, Andy Wheeler said: “There would have been no need for us to give a call back to a customer who was enquiring about one of our wheelchair access vehicles as our staff are trained correctly and we would have been able to help there and then.
“We are contracted to Plymouth City Council and have a high demand for our special access vehicles as we are needed in peak times for school help and care homes.
“If needing a special access vehicle, we would recommend to book at least a day in advance so we can accommodate the booking.”
Chairman of Plymouth Taxi’s, Philip Cramer said he found it “quite astonishing” that this supposed event happened.
“All of our vehicles have special access, and we accommodate for a lot of disabled travel throughout the city.
“As the weekends are the busiest period for us, we ensure we have a maximum amount of drivers on the road to accommodate any travel.
“I find it unbelievable that we weren't able to help and would urge Mrs Jones to contact us so we are able to listen to the call and can assist if there was a problem.
“Transport with disabled access is a core part of our business, and although we may not be able to get a special access vehicle to a customer immediately, we can usually accommodate within 20 minutes to half an hour.”
Read more:
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Care-wo ... z3ycT6UB00
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