12 Feb 2008
Cabbies concern over disabled rule change
TAXI drivers in Barnsley say new rules to make cabs accessible for
disabled passengers could cost them their livelihoods.
The Star reported last week that only 1.5 per cent of private hire vehicles,
and 13.4 per cent for Hackney carriages, have wheelchair access - a total
availability of 2.8 per cent across the borough.
The result is that while the average waiting time for a vehicle from a
telephone booking is 31 minutes, those requesting a wheelchair accessible
vehicle can expect to wait 56 minutes.
But today Hackney Trade Association chairman Rob Taylor said the move
to make more taxis wheelchair-friendly will drive some cabbies away from
the job.
"Nobody is going to be able to afford it," he said. "Some of these vehicles
cost in excess of £20,000 which will lead to fewer hire vehicles on the road
because the cost will make it unviable for many people."
Independent specialists say a further 30 wheelchair accessible vehicles
are needed in Barnsley, and councillors have agreed that all requests to
licence new vehicles from April should be granted only to those drivers
whose cabs are accessible to wheelchairs. The rules also state that
replacement taxis must be no more than three-years-old.
New taxis must have wheelchair anchor points, appropriate seatbelts and
loading ramps, as non-slip floor coverings and bright yellow grab handles.
From April Hackney carriage licence fees will al
so increase. The cost of licensing a vehicle will rise from £46 to £150, with
drivers paying £87 to renew their licence rather than £58 at present.
The council says the increase will merely bring fees in line with
neighbouring authorities, and defended the decision to press for more
disabled access cabs.
A spokesman said: "We can significantly improve the level of service to
disabled people by increasing the number of accessible vehicles
available."
Source: The Star
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