Taxi Driver Online

[url]eaderlive.co.uk/news/24276441.mold-disability-access-taxi-suffers-mindless-vandalism/[/url]

A "LIFELINE" vehicle which transports some of the most vulnerable, disabled and disadvantaged members of the community was subject of "mindless" vandalism.

Mold-based Formula Elite Travel's specially adapted vehicle was left badly damaged in a "horrible" recent attack.

The vehicle, one of only around 200 of its kind, is used by 20-30 regulars - who rely on it as a means of transport.

Formula Elite Travel's director, Phil Parry, said: "What makes this vehicle unique is that most vehicles have to carry wheelchair users at the back. With this one, they can sit at the front with passengers on either side, this makes a huge difference - especially for children who won't feel so alone.

"We take children to appointments at Alder Hey Hospital and having the means to sit them alongside their parents makes their journey so much more comfortable.

"The sad reality is that these specially adapted vehicles are a lifeline for many disabled members of our community, this will impact them directly as we have to repair the damage and get the vehicle back into service."

Phil said around £3,000-£4,000 worth of damage was caused - but that he hopes to have the vehicle back on the road by Friday.

"It's a horrible, mindless attack on a vehicle that is used by some of our community's most vulnerable people," he said.

"As well as the smashed windscreen, they poured coke inside the electrics and slashed down the wheelchair tiedown points. I can't for the life of me understand what would possess someone to do that."

Formula Elite Travel was founded a couple of years ago - with the hope of helping disabled and other disadvantaged people have comfortable, reliable transport.

"I lost my father to bone cancer," Phil said. "And my stepfather who is co-director of the business has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour. These are the people we want to support and that's why we started this business.

"Our background is in providing high-end vehicles for people with a lot of money. This has allowed us to subsidise the cost of the taxi service for people needing the disability access vehicle, making it a cheaper service than your regular taxi firm.

"We are moving to a new site at Mold bus station which is wheelchair accessible, and we are looking to expand to other areas of Flintshire and get more vehicles out on the road."

He added: "We are working closely with charities, such as MacMillan and a charity supporting the blind. We cater for a couple of blind people and have specially trained drivers who take them to and from work.

"The vehicle allows people on mobility scooters to drive on and off, this means they can go shopping independently to places like Chester. We're just trying to make a positive difference to the lives of those in need."

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning at their base in Mold and has been reported to North Wales Police.

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