CLAIMS that drivers of wheelchair-accessible taxis do not use them for their intended purpose due to longer loading times have been refuted by the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association.
It follows a social media post by taxi service Ryde about a recent booking in which it had used new wheelchair-accessible vehicles to take two children – both wheelchair users – from a hospital appointment to school.
One of the children’s family members commented on the post, thanking Ryde for introducing the two vehicles into its fleet.
But they also wrote: “It is well known that although there are a great many wheelchair-adapted taxis on the Island, the drivers are actively choosing not to use them for their intended purpose because wheelchair passengers ‘take too long to load’ and that has an effect on other fares, and they are simply allowed to get away with this.”
They described this as “a problem which can easily be solved by planning and communication”.
“We as a family are incredibly grateful to Ryde for acknowledging a need within the community and working to meet it, putting customers first. I hope other companies follow suit,” they added.
Mick Tostevin, a spokesperson for the JTDA – which represents around a third of registered taxi drivers in the Island – told the JEP that he was “not aware of any real difficulties” regarding Islanders being able to secure wheelchair-accessible taxis “providing they plan ahead”.
“In fact we have regular people with disabilities who call us, because the guys know them,” he added.
“Most people don’t leave things to chance, they generally plan ahead”.
