Disabled transport outrage

THE GOLD Coast’s most vulnerable are being overcharged, under serviced or have been refused rides altogether by transport operators.

In the past year, seven formal complaints have been made to the Transport and Main Roads Department about the transport for students with a disability and advocates warn there could be

more as tired parents struggle to chase up the paper trail.

The revelations come after the Bulletin revealed Samuel Ameit, 9, who has cerebral palsy had been repeatedly left stranded by those contracted to take him to and from school.

The company, Gold Coast Cabs, has denied failing to turn up.

However, the situation was familiar for many in similar situations.

Manager of Gold Coast Disability Advocacy Ren Shennan said she had been told of situations where those with a disability had been refused transport or ripped off.

“There are issues of drivers being reluctant to pick up people with disabilities,” Ms Shennan told the Bulletin.

“Quite often people with service dogs are refused because drivers do not want to vacuum their cars afterwards.

“A driver isn’t supposed to start the meter until the person is secured, but we know of many occasions where the clock is started before the wheelchair is strapped in and so the person is penalised for extra time.”

Ms Shennan said the role of carers in many cases was so demanding that it was often hard for them to chase up issues.

Marlena Katene, a Gold Coast journalist and disability activist said the issue was all too familiar.

As someone who used the state-funded transport service while at school, Ms Katene said she was fortunate to have a regular driver. However, when he was on holidays she had found herself in a similar situation to young Samuel.

“It is imperative to have a regular driver for these contracts and for people with additional needs,” she said.

“These contracts are a regular (and lucrative) job for the company. Systems need to be in places to ensure correct times are respected.

“A certain duty of care surely would be on the taxi company to ensure the needs of their customer is respected and upheld.”