REDDITCH taxi drivers have been rapped over their handling of disabled passengers following a meeting of the licensing authority on Monday (January 18).
Councillor Anita Clayton (Con, Batchley & Brockhill) who also heads the Disability Action Redditch (DAR) tackled the firms for their ‘disgraceful’ conduct when it came to disabled people.
She detailed concerns that some drivers had avoided taking people in a wheelchairs and expecting those they did take to book 48 hours in advance.
She added that in many cases they had even charged more than an able bodied person for the same journey.
Coun Clayton, a shopmobility user herself, said: “The taxi representatives were very receptive to what we had to say and did explain it is difficult for them as vehicles which cater to people in wheelchairs are more costly.
“I understand their position but to say you have to book 48 hours in advance is ridiculous.
“What happens if you don’t feel well and want to go home – how can you manage?”
Many of the concerns were raised when one woman, ‘Sarah’ from Matchborough, was left stranded at a supermarket for four hours after several taxi firms said they were unable to take her home.
Sarah’s friend, Ann Dearman, said: “It was outrageous what happened to her. I tried getting Sarah a taxi and was told they needed a minimum of a few hours’ notice and at best 48 hours. And I was told they have to pay a minimum of £10 when the last time I caught a taxi in Redditch it cost me £3.80.
Coun Clayton added: “The staff were wonderful and I think the manager arranged for her to get home in the end, but this is a disgraceful situation.”
The councillor said she had also called a series of companies herself pretending to be a wheelchair user in need of a taxi and was greeted with the simple line of ‘We don’t do wheelchairs’.
During the meeting taxi firms were urged to re-establish a committee in order to give people with complaints a proper channel to go through.
