Taxi Driver Online

More wheelchair accessible taxis needed after 'hour long waits' at ranks

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/mo ... d-17529119

Concerns were raised regarding the taxi rank at Southport station

Councillors have called for more wheelchair- accessible taxis after one claimed people were 'waiting for more than an hour' at a taxi rank.

At a Licensing and Regulatory meeting on January 6 members discussed a report carried out by the 'licensed vehicle surveys and assessment' which looked into the 'unmet demand survey report.'

However, concerns were raised by councillors regarding the taxi rank at Southport station where it was claimed some people were waiting more than hour for a wheelchair-accessible taxi.

Liberal Democrats Councillor Pat Keith for the Cambridge Ward said: "You said there doesn't seem to be a problem in Southport, but I found - I don't use the station that much - this happened in the space of two or three weeks.

"I met a lady with her mother who was in a wheelchair and she told me they were going to have to leave the rank because they couldn't get a taxi for over an hour. It was a cold and she said this happened quite often.

"Two weeks later I saw a young woman - about 19 - who was very distressed and in a wheelchair.

"It was the first time she had travelled by herself and she was rowing with her mum over it, as she didn't want her to travel by herself but the young woman wanted to be independent.

"She wanted to go to Sandpipers and she was told there was over an hour delay for a taxi and her mother was on the phone hysterical when I was talking to her.

"They rang Sandpipers where she was going and they said this happened regularly, I know you are saying there aren't any complaints but I wonder if you are asking the right people?"

Leading taxi operations analyst at LVSA, Ian Millership said he was disappointed he wasn't able to talk to these case studies.

However, he added it was difficult for the local authority to change the ranks performance as it was privately owned and recommended the committee to discuss the issues with the company.

He also said there was a difficulty as "people with disabilities often feel they can't speak up" and suggested members advertise a clear way for users to raise concerns.

However, council officer Mark Toohey said there are 30 Southport-based wheelchair accessible vehicles and "it sounds like some wheelchair users are not aware of this."

He added if the committee wanted to consult the trade to introduce a condition only for new vehicles to be wheelchair-accessible only, it is something which could be looked into.

Cllr Keith agreed it was something which should be looked into and said: "Yes I would say so, if there are not using their voice we have to stick up for them."

However, overall the survey carried out by the LVSA said "there was generally high satisfaction with the service provided" in Sefton.

Labour Councillor Gordon Friel for the Linarce ward said: "The passengers who are using the taxi services are very appreciative of the high quality they get."

Members approved the conditions at the Licensing and Regulatory meeting on January 6 to:

• Receive a presentation of the Hackney Carriage Unmet Demand Survey Report from LVSA;

• Note the content of the report

• Maintain the current numerical restriction of 271 Hackney Carriage Vehicle
licences

• Request a further demand survey be carried out in 2023/24.