From: christal bob [christalbob@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 4 July, 2001 7:33
To: disabdis@humanrights.gov.au
Subject: Submission - Public Inquiry into Wheelchair Taxis

Dear HREOC,

I hope this submission is not going to miss out.  I’m
sorry it is so late – I only just got a newsletter
from Northcott last night (my mail was delayed) with
an article in it about your inquiry.

I have stopped using wheelchair taxis because of the
poor service and expense.  Of course this means I have
to use my manual (instead of my electric) wheelchair
when I go out, as I have to get standard taxis. 
Luckily I can transfer from wheelchair to car seat –
although this can be painful (for my knees) and
dangerous (when taxis park at awkward positions eg too
far away from the kerb).

Wheelchair taxis are generally much more unreliable –
I once had to wait 3 hours for one after I had
finished uni for the day – the taxi turned up at
around 11pm, it was dark, lonely and scary waiting for
the wheelchair taxi.  Waiting at least one hour is not
unusual.

Metro cabs are particularly horrible.  Firstly, one
has to be strapped in facing the back window – you
can’t see where you’re going so can’t direct the
driver unless you twist around (uncomfortable and
dangerous) in your wheelchair.  Being strapped in
backwards makes one feel like a suitcase, not a
person.

At times (in Metro cabs) I have not been offered a
seatbelt and/or the wheelchair has not been strapped
in securely.  This makes for a very scary ride as each
time the cab brakes you nearly fall out the chair.

(Metro cabs)  As there is a grill between driver and
passenger, communication is difficult.  Communication
is also difficult because many of these drivers speak
VERY LITTLE ENGLISH.

I also have a very soft voice (due to vocal cord
damage) and find that some drivers won’t take time to
listen to me properly.  Conversation level volume is
no problem for me to talk at but this doesn’t help
when you’re in the back of a rattling mini-bus.

And then there’s the cost.  Drivers start the meter
when they arrive and so you are charged to be strapped
in, and unstrapped at your destination.  People who
have the least money are charged the most!

I find it particularly offensive when the driver
spends minutes readying the straps after previous fare
use but has the meter running!  I get charged for
something that I’m not responsible for.

I hope this submission can be used.  Thank you for the opportunity to have my say.  I hope something positive can be done.

Regards,

Juliette L Christopher

Ps I have just discovered that for the entire Blue
Mountains area (I just moved here) there is only 1
wheelchair taxi!


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