Taxi Driver Online

Not the first of this type in North Ayrshire...

Cabbie gets go ahead to buy cheaper taxi after accident

https://www.irvinetimes.com/news/255430 ... -accident/

A CABBIE who was injured in an accident while driving has been allowed to purchase a cheaper taxi by North Ayrshire Council's licensing committee.

Robbie Smith submitted a video detailing the extensive damage suffered to his wheelchair-accessible vehicle, which happened in Irvine’s Bank Street just two months after he had bought it.

His case was treated as a matter of relative urgency by licensing committee chair Eleanor Collier, who said: “We watched the video and are accepting that this occurred.”

Mr Smith told the committee: “I need to replace the wheelchair accessible vehicle with a non-wheelchair accessible vehicle.

“A couple of months ago I took out a loan from the bank to buy the wheelchair vehicle and I was just trying to get on my feet.

"Trying to get another wheelchair vehicle for that kind of price is going to be very difficult for me as it is a lot more expensive than a regular vehicle and I am not able to afford it.

“With the insurance payout, I could get a normal vehicle and could afford that. The car has not been written off yet but the insurance company are still assessing it.

“Hopefully I will get around about £8,000 to £10,000 but that is not enough for a wheelchair accessible vehicle.”

Mr Smith said his head was sore for some time after the incident.

Cllr Nairn Angus-McDonald proposed granting the exception to the licensing rules and this was seconded by cllr Ronnie Stalker and unanimously agreed by the committee.

Granting a permanent exception, Cllr Collier said: “I hope you feel better and your head is better and have better luck time after what has happened and you only having the vehicle for two months.”