From: CAshworth@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Sent: Thursday, 28 June, 2001 14:42
To: disabdis@humanrights.gov.au
Subject: Submission into Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Inquiry


Submission into Wheelchair Accessible Taxis ? Public Inquiry

Leslie David Hume O.A.M
101 Lancaster Avenue
West Ryde NSW 2114
Ph: 02 9874 2482

Comments dictated to Carol Ashworth ? Community Project Officer Aged/Disability, Ryde City Council Ph: 9807 9021 Fax: 9807 9027 email: cashworth@ryde.nsw.gov.au, as my disability precludes me from writing.

Attached letters of complaints sent to the taxi industry between 1992 ? 2001.

The following questions from People with Disabilities (NSW) Inc (PDCN) Bulletin No 11 were used to assist providing comment. Comments are provided in bold.

1.   Do wheelchair users ever/generally/never have to wait longer than
     other taxi users to catch a cab?

     In my experience wheelchair users 'always' have to wait longer than
     other taxi users.

2.   If people have to wait longer for a wheelchair accessible taxi, why is
that?

     Often it is because there is no driver in the area that meets the
     particular requirements needed by the individual. The closest driver
     does not always meet requirements.

     Drivers do not like to do short trips and don't accept the job because
     of this.

3.   What solutions can contribute to reducing waiting times for wheelchair
users?

     Some possibilities could include:

     Ultimately every taxi must be wheelchair accessible.
     I agree all taxis should be accessible.

     A proportion of taxis should be accessible.
     No there are too many variables that can occur.

     Wheelchair accessible taxis should be barred from from accepting other
     work for as long as any wheelchair user is waiting.
     This is dangerous water as all taxi drivers have the right to choose
     which job they take. It is only after they nominate to take a job that
     they have an obligation to do it.
     Government funded financial incentives should be given to taxi drivers
     accepting wheelchair jobs.
     This could be tricky to do but not impossible.

4.   Have you ever felt unsafe when using a wheelchair accessible taxi?
     Yes. One case was in the early '80's. I had attended a transport
     meeting in the city and booked a taxi to take me on the return trip to
     'Weemala' Ryde. On the initial trip I changed the booking for the
     return to instead take me to Rhodes as my wheelchair needed to be
     fixed and booked another pick up from Rhodes for 3pm to Ryde. At 4pm I
     rang the taxi firm as my ride had not showed up. I continued to ring
     until the taxi finally arrived at 7.20pm. It was the same driver as
     the morning, who had changed the return booking for me. I was very
     happy to see him but the response from him was abusive. This was done
     in front of witnesses.

5.   Do you believe that the regulations for wheelchair accessible taxis
are enforced adequately?
     Yes

Additional Comment:

There are more types of accessible taxis available now. I believe that the different vehicles should be classified so that individuals can know what type of taxi they can fit into and make sure when they book that they get this type. Recently I booked a taxi and when it arrived it was the new Mercedes style. My chair was unable to fit, the driver asked to move the head rest but it still would not fit. When I rang to query if this was an accessible vehicle I was told that it was classified as accessible.

ATTACHED: 8 Letters that relate incidents reported from 1992 - 2001 (See attached file: TAXICOMP.JT1.doc)(See attached file: TAXICOMP.LH1.doc) (See attached file: TAXICOMP.LH2.doc)(See attached file: TAXICOMP.LH3.doc) (See attached file: TAXICOMP.LH4.doc)(See attached file: TAXICOMP.LH5.doc) (See attached file: TAXICOMP.LH6.doc)(See attached file: TAXICOMP.LH7.doc)

Thank you

Carol Ashworth on behalf of Les Hume