Taxi Driver Online

Taxis hit by new rules

The number of taxis in the Wyre Forest district could plummet because of new rules over wheelchair access.

Drivers say it will mean drivers facing bills of up to £25,000 to replace cabs when their taxi licence is due for renewal. The drivers have already protested at an age limit imposed on taxis.

Councillors say the latest rules about wheelchair access are backed by the Department of Transport.

They will consider a report from the department on March 26 which says that of the 85,000 licensed hackney carriages across the country, less than half are classed as wheelchair accessible.

Officials want to discuss the feasibility of introducing wheelchair accessible taxis which suit everyone.

But drivers in the Wyre Forest say the move will involve owner drivers buying expensive new vehicles which would not necessarily suit the needs of all disabled people.

Since introducing the policy in 2005, the council has come under fire from cabbies who do not want to move to costly specially-built ones when their licence is renewed.

Trevor Owen, owner of Regency Taxis, based in Kidderminster, said: “No-one has discussed the feasibility of wheelchairs accessible vehicles with taxi owners. The problem is that the council has consistently ignored the fact that the existing ones do not suit every disabled person.

“This is where the problem lies, how to make a taxi to suit everyone. We think this is simply unworkable until a vehicle is designed to cater for everyone.”

Councillor Anne Hingley, the council spokesman said: “The council remains firmly committed to offering equal access to hackney carriages by making them wheelchair accessible. People who find those vehicles difficult to get into will still be able to book private hire saloon vehicles as part of the mixed fleet being promoted.”

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Backing for taxi policy


A REPORT by the Department of Transport has endorsed Wyre Forest District Council’s controversial policy to only license new wheelchair accessible taxis.

A consultation called Improving Access to Taxis is being carried out, with the views of councils, taxi drivers and disabled people being sought.

Although the document endorses the council’s policy, it acknowledges the process is “complex”, adding: “We do not know the extent to which disabled people want wheelchair accessible taxis, given that such vehicles may not meet the needs of many disabled people.”

Taxi drivers in Wyre Forest have opposed the council’s policy, claiming many disabled people cannot easily use wheelchair accessible vehicles.

The DfT report says that, of the 85,000 licensed hackney carriages in Great Britain, 40,285 are classed as wheelchair accessible and just over 21,500 of them are in Greater London.

The document also says only 64 out of the 342 local licensing authorities in England and Wales have implemented a policy of only licensing wheelchair accessible taxis.

The DfT says it wants to see more taxis available for disabled people to improve access to jobs, services and social networks.

Anecdotal evidence is also given that some taxi drivers are refusing to stop and pick up disabled people but that is not specifically related to Wyre Forest.

Since introducing its policy in 2005, the council has come under fire from the majority of the local taxi trade, who do not want to move from saloon vehicles to wheelchair accessible ones when the licence is due for renewal.

Cabinet member for housing, health and rural affairs, Conservative councillor, Anne Hingley, said: “I’m really pleased that the DfT are tackling this issue that the council identified back in 2005 and particularly so because the report endorses the council’s policy.

“The DfT confirm that, like the council, they want to see more wheelchair accessible taxis being available and that they want to continue to allow local licensing authorities to impose their own conditions to suit their own local circumstances.

“The council remains committed to offering equal access to hackney carriages by making them wheelchair accessible.”

The council’s cabinet will discuss the document at next Thursday’s meeting and the consultation period ends on April 24. A copy of the report can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/open/consultations

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

They moan when more taxis are going to be licensed, and they bloody moan when less taxis are going to be licensed.

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IDFIMH

I don't think the stupid Tory councillor has read the report and understands the implications.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Perhaps if they ask they may find out



Do the Dft happen to know how many licenced PH are actually WAV's or have they again choosen to ignore what is probably the majority supplier to the wheelchair user



That just means that 278 local licensing departments either don't know what to do or don't care and will wait until they are forced to make a decision before they do

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I think that might be backed up by the fact there are no WAV's in Wyre Forest?

ffs

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I take it then they aren't backed by the Dft or is that the Dft haven't decided yet what to do or have they decided and forgot to make it known. If they've already decided and forgot to tell us what's the consultation about

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Facilities get thumbs down

From the archive, first published Thursday 24th Aug 2006.

DISABLED facilities across Kidderminster have been criticised by a campigner carrying out a national survey.

David Hughes, known as Wheelchair Charlie, is travelling the country assessing attitudes to disabled people, parking and access.

The 46-year-old was unimpressed by lack of provision for disabled motorists in the Weavers Wharf car park, due to its raised pedestrian access and lack of dropped kerbs. He also said many automatic doors across the town failed to warn people how and when they might open.

Mr Hughes added inclines could be "smoothed out", but he was pleased that disabled toilet facilities at the town's Connect Wyre Forest centre were open on a 24-hour basis to eligible people.

He started his journey in Blackpool and has travelled hundreds of miles across the country, visiting cities such as Nottingham, Manchester, Worcester and Gloucester.

Worcestershire is the worst county he has come across so far in terms of provision for disabled people.

Mr Hughes suffered spinal injuries in 1990 which have left him unable to walk without crutches and, sometimes, wheelchair-reliant.

His aim was to highlight disability problems throughout the country while raising money for charity.

A Wyre Forest District Council spokesman said: "The Government has recognised the importance of an inclusive society with the introduction of the Disability Discrimin-ation Act and by placing increased emphasis on accessibility within planning legislation. The council is taking this forward at the local level.

"In April this year, it appointed an access officer who is focussing on accessibility and liaising with local disability groups."

Mr Hughes added local authorities should better understand the people they were providing for in their communities, whether chronically ill, disabled with special needs or elderly.

He added: "We will never get everything right as we have not got the money to do so but it helps if there is a willingness to understand and awareness of your community."

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

It's a consultation......the government will consult then choose policy?

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Or that's what's supposed to happen

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

I see you're as suspicious as me

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I don't think we're the only ones

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

This bint has it wrong as well, a mixed fleet of hackneys does not include PH it means a mixed fleet of hackneys

But a firms mixed fleet can and often does include PH.

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IDFIMH