From: ann arciuli [annarciuli@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 3 July, 2001 22:02
To: disabdis@humanrights.gov.au
Subject: Submission on accessible taxi service

I am the mother of a twenty year old male with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  
My son is a frequent user of taxis and I often accompany him.  I would like 
to submit the following views on the accessible taxi service.


The service we are receiving at present is better than it has been in the 
past.  Two reasons for this are apparent.  Firstly, the number of accessible 
taxis seems to have increased overall and, in particular, in our area 
(postcode 2121).  Secondly, we have developed a knowledge of drivers working 
in the local area and make arrangements with them directly whenever 
possible.


My son cannot use 'Metro' vehicles as his overall height in the power drive 
chair is too great for this type of taxi.  A significant proportion of 
accessible vehicles are of this type.  This is one aspect of availability to 
be considered as we always need to stipulate the unsuitability of such 
vehicles on making a booking.


Bookings for short journeys made through the central service often mean 
having to wait for longer periods.  This makes connecting to other forms of 
public transport much more difficult.  Similarly, visiting places in the 
local area, e.g., pubs and clubs, is very difficult.  It is easier to get a 
taxi into the city than to places within the local area.


My son cannot easily catch an accessible taxi from a rank.  There is no way 
that he is able to 'hail' a taxi passing by.  Waiting at ranks can be 
uncomfortable, even unsafe.  He has experienced accessible taxis driving 
away rather than picking him up.  We rely on our local drivers to pick him 
up late at night.  He has to pay a booking fee for almost every taxi ride he 
takes.  This extra cost should be provided for.


I think the central booking service could be made more efficient.  Some 
details (on my son) are available to the operator but we are always asked if 
a Metro is suitable.  (it isn't)  Why can't details such as this be 
available on the database?


The quota of wheelchair passengers per accessible taxi seems very low and 
the reality is that a proportion of the drivers do the bulk of wheelchair 
jobs.  In effect, this reduces the number of accessible taxis on the road at 
any time that are actually available to wheelchair users.


In closing I would like to add our appreciation of most of the drivers of 
accessible taxis who are patient and cheerful while performing a demanding 
but extremely valuable service.

Ann Arciuli




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