From: dowling [dowling@hunterlink.net.au]
Sent: Sunday, 17 June, 2001 22:08
To: disabdis@humanrights.gov.au
Subject: taxi inquiry

				PO Box 86
				Hamilton 2303

				June 15, 2001

Disability Rights Unit
HREOC
GPO Box 5218
Sydney 1042

I would like to comment on my experience of issues with wheelchair accessible taxis in the Hunter.

Fare discrimination
 In my experience people in wheelchairs pay more as the driver runs the meter while loading up. One wheelchair fare cost nearly double for two students in a wheelchair than it did for the same distance in a non-accessible taxi.

Rural people pay even more.  A fare quote for two students from Cessnock to Newcastle and back to attend a Youth Forum was over $200. We had to beg money from a charity to facilitate the student’s participation.

I also believe that people in the Hunter are dependent on taxis because public transport is not accessible.

We did only have 4 wheelchair taxis but I think that that has increased to 10 in the Hunter. However it is difficult to access taxis when needed.  I was involved with one family who was fleeing domestic violence. We were able to get the mother and babies to a refuge in the early afternoon.  The teenager in the wheelchair had to wait till evening before we could get an accessible taxi for her.  This was extremely frightening and a very tense situation for all.

SAFETY DISCRIMINATION
A number of parents have also raised the safety issues of taxis in that they don’t believe the electric wheelchairs are strapped down to meet safety standards. As children and young adults in electric wheelchairs may also have conditions which make them particularly vulnerable [eg I believe necks with Duchenne muscular dystrophy], I would think that the safety issue needs urgent attention.

Please note this last point applies to school taxis as well as public taxis.

A sub issue is that  families with children pre - 16 years of age - do not receive mobility allowance, or receive any tax rebate for registration of special vans to accommodate electric wheelchairs, therefore they are even more financially deprived yet often more dependent on taxi services [through not being able to afford a van] and costs of taxis therefore must seem to hit them harder.

Lyn Dowling
Social Worker