First taxi for the disabled

A TAXI company has become the first in the TRNC to provide a disabled-friendly vehicle to ferry passengers around the island following an eight-year long campaign for permission from the government.

Çatalköy resident Serhan Serdar, who owns the Bellapais taxi company, has now added a specially adapted people carrier imported from Turkey to his fleet after he was finally given the green light by officials.

The taxi driver of 19 years vowed to purchase such a vehicle after seeing the problems encountered by a wheelchair user customer at Larnaca airport.

“Eight years ago, one of my British customers rang me up to say they had a visitor coming from the UK to Larnaca, and for me to pick him up,” he recalled.

“When I got to the airport I saw that the man was in a wheelchair. With the help of someone else, holding each side of his chair, we managed to lift him up and put him into the [Mercedes] Vito.

“That’s when I understood that this service was wrong for people with disabilities and so I went to the tourism ministry to discuss how we could solve this problem by bringing a vehicle which would enable easy access for these people.”

Over the years father-oftwo Mr Serdar went “back and forth” between government departments, eventually receiving support for his plan from current public works and transport minister Tolga Atakan.

“[Mr Atakan] supported the idea and thanks to him and his team, to whom I explained the need of this vehicle and how it would contribute greatly towards the tourism sector, today we have it operating in the TRNC.”

The “7+1 seater” vehicle, which was manufactured in Turkey, can also travel to South Cyprus and “anywhere needed”

Mr Serdar said.

He added he is also working on “more projects” to help disabled people and is searching for a plot of land on which to build a disabled-friendly hotel, something “lacking in the TRNC”.

Delighted Günay Kibrit, head of the Orthopaedic Disabled

People’s Association, praised Mr Serdar.

“This was one of the biggest needs in the country which we, as an association, were trying to cover by providing transport services to disabled people with our own vehicles but couldn’t meet everyone’s needs at all times.

“This has made us so happy to see someone take on this duty and bring it to life. It would be great to see one of these vehicles at a taxi company in each of the five cities so that life could become easier for those with disabilities. We thank those involved in making this project possible.”

For bookings call Mr Serdar on 0542 859 2875 or visit www.bellapaistaxi.com.