Councillors told proposals for wheelchair-compliant taxis are 'very bizarre'
The possible future of Dundee's taxi trade has been shown to councillors — as an industry official criticised proposals that could make all cabs in the city wheelchair-compliant.
- By Jonathan Watson
- Published in the Courier : 07.06.11
- Published online : 07.06.11 @ 12.14pm
Graeme Stephen, chairman of the Dundee Taxi Association, has again hit out at plans that could see drivers forced to convert their vehicles after a proposal was put forward at a licensing committee meeting earlier this year.
Mr Stephen admitted that he continued to be baffled by the actions of the committee, who have insisted that a full consultation would be conducted on the controversial plan should it go forward.
As councillors gathered at Dundee City Council's contract services depot on Monday to view disabled-friendly vehicles, Mr Stephen said any attempt to force cabbies to convert existing or buy new vehicles would be unfair.
He said, "I just think the whole idea is very bizarre. It would be a huge expense for the drivers and these converted vehicles only do around 24 or 25 miles to the gallon.
"It would be bad for Dundee as well, as these cars tend to get serviced in Glasgow, which would lose garages in Dundee hundreds of pounds. I pick up around four or five disabled passengers a week and at the moment they transfer to the car and I put the wheelchair in the boot."
Keen to emphasise that Monday's viewing was merely a fact-finding exercise, licensing committee chairman Rod Wallace reiterated that a full consultation will be held if the committee decides to proceed with the proposal, adding, "We've been offered the opportunity to see the kind of taxis that are available.
"Some are already on the roads at present and we're just trying to find out what they offer."
12.56pm - 07.06.2011 euan - dundee, scotland Report This
As a taxi driver for many years i find the whole situation very strange does rod wallace no how hard it is to make a living with so many taxis in my case i couldnt afford a big car so what now rod are you waiting on davie young to tell you what to do as it seems he has a lot to do with this
04.52pm - 09.08.2011 rbc - dundee, scotland Report This
Exactly, so why do I have to drive one of these 25 mpg WAVs and others dont? How is that fair. Why do some have to pay £20,000-£37,000 and others dont? How is that fair Graeme? More insurance, dearer running costs, bigger load bearing tyres etc....So tell me again Mr Stephen, whats unfair?
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