‘Disabled are left stranded by taxis’

DISABLED people are being left “stranded” and at “risk” by taxi drivers who refuse to pick them, a charity has warned.

Disability Wales, the national association for disabled people’s organizations in Wales, said some drivers and taxi cab companies are discriminating against disabled people, particularly at taxi ranks.

They said the “completely unacceptable” practice has left disabled customers “compromised” and “humiliated”.

Policy and Research Officer Ruth Nortey said: “There are many issues for disabled people particularly when at a taxi rank or hailing a cab.

“This is more of an issue than if you are ringing up from home.

“At a rank people are getting refused either because they have a guide dog or because of a wheelchair.

“People that can get into a saloon car with a collapsible wheel chair have had drivers who refused to take them.”

She also said some taxis lacked proper safety equipment and were actually charging disabled people more than able bodied people.

The Equality Act 2010 means it is illegal for a private hire vehicle to refuse to take a person with disabilities, unless they have a medical exemption from the licensing authority.

But many disabled people still say they are regularly turned down when hailing a cab.

In a consultation in response to the Welsh Government the charity said: “Too many disabled people remain isolated and unable to afford day to day journeys to the shops or hospital appointments, let alone for leisure opportunities.”

One man told the charity he is charged “premium” prices for a taxi because of the extra mileage cost it takes for an accessible taxi to reach him.

The consultation said: “Disability Wales raised this issue with a private hire vehicle driver, he told us that some drivers add the mileage cost of getting to the pickup location.

“This is in contrast to individuals who have no access requirements and are usually no more than five minutes away from the nearest available taxi when booking through an operator.”

The association are now calling on the Welsh Government to improve access and make taxis more accessible.