Post by The Dark Knight on Sept 4, 2024 6:57:53 GMT
Wheelchair user moves 45 miles to book a taxi
Ian Lawson, 68, was unable to book a wheelchair accessible taxi while living in Whitby
A wheelchair user has moved 45 miles away from his home near Whitby after being unable to book accessible taxis.
Ian Lawson, who has Moto Neurone Disease (MND), said he had missed hospital and dental appointments due to poor transport links for wheelchair users in the area.
North Yorkshire Council has estimated there is a shortage of about 200 wheelchair accessible taxis in the area.
However, a proposal to update the its taxi licensing policy in order to boost the amount of accessible vehicles has not been approved for consultation.
Speaking to BBC Radio York, 68-year-old Mr Lawson said: "Despite being a wheelchair user for ten years, I have never been able to book a wheelchair taxi into Whitby.
"I recently moved to Northallerton in June, as the lack of wheelchair taxis and the very unreliable bus service into Whitby got me down last winter."
As a member of Whitby Disability Action Group he said others in the group as well as some visitors had had similar experiences.
Since moving to Northallerton from his village he said it was "so much easier" to travel.
"Three local taxi businesses have a wheelchair taxi and the bus services are reliable, so no more missed hospital and dental appointments," he said.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cze59388we9o