Dundee taxi group chiefs at odds over proposed switch to wheelchair-accessible vehicles
A row is brewing between two Dundee taxi associations with opposing opinions over proposals to make all cabs in the city wheelchair accessible.
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 08.06.11
- Published online : 08.06.11 @ 08.49am
Dundee Hackney Association chairman Erik Thoresen contacted The Courier to respond to comments made this week by his opposite number at the Dundee Taxi Association, Graeme Stephen, who hit out at the plans tabled by the licensing committee.
Mr Thoresen, who says he is all for the universal use of wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs), was left bemused by Mr Stephen's comments — in which he described the idea as "very bizarre".
"There is nothing bizarre about it," said Mr Thoresen. "We can't discriminate against disabled people and it is not fair to have some drivers in one set of cars and others in saloons. That is discriminatory to the taxi trade."
Earlier this year the licensing committee put forward the controversial proposal to only permit WAVs in the city as a means of controlling taxi numbers. But the move attracted a mixed response with those opposed upset at the prospect of potentially paying thousands of pounds to convert their vehicles.
It has also been claimed that there is already enough provision in the city to accommodate disabled residents — a point which Mr Thoresen does not agree with.
"It is not about how many cabs have wheelchair access and how many don't," said Mr Thoresen, who has worked in the taxi trade for 38 years. "It is about not discriminating against any group — that is the law."
He added, "It is not fair to have some drivers with this and others without. They just want to have their cake and eat it and remain with the 50/50 split at the moment."
Mr Thoresen said, "But the status quo should not remain and Dundee needs to move forward. Everybody should play ball and do the same thing. Nobody should be allowed to discriminate."
Despite the strong feelings, no decision on the matter has been made. According to licensing committee convener Rod Wallace, no decision will be made until a full consultation is carried out.
10.34am - 08.06.2011 Midnight - Dundee, Scotland Report This
What about discrimination against those disabled in a manner that prevents them from using the wheelchair accessible taxis?
12.34pm - 08.06.2011 Digby Hunt - Dundee, Scoatland Report This
What kind of disability might that be Midnight? As an able bodied person I object to being rattled around in a bone-jarring wheelchair accessible taxi minibus and insist on using a saloon car type taxi
01.17pm - 08.06.2011 Midnight - Dundee, Scotland Report This
There are several different groups of disabled people who are not happy with being discriminated against when they have physical disabilities for example chronic arthritic conditions whereby they are not bound to wheelchairs but are unable to get into the large wheelchair accessible taxis.
01.19pm - 08.06.2011 Midnight - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Too often the term disabled is seen to mean wheelchair bound yet there are many physical disabilities which are unseen yet still affect the day to day life of the person. It's about time the council recognised this.
07.34am - 09.06.2011 One big pain - dundee, tayside Report This
I have arthritis in my neck hands and knees . I CANT use the wheelchair type taxi as it is too high. They rattle so much that I am in severe pain whilst in them . I feel discriminated against by being forced to use them.I cant use buses so depend on Taxis
09.40am - 09.06.2011 garry - dundee, scotland Report This
Here we have erik thoresen once again stiring things up i remember when erik had a saloon car with a hackney plate he decided to hand it back and do other things when it came to getting it back he was so againts a wheelchair taxi but had no choice,he is the only member of dundee hackney association
09.56am - 09.06.2011 jon - dundee, scotland Report This
If you read into the european wheelchair taxi report there is no law that states the dundee licensing committee have to put all thos big taxis on as its up to them,there is enoth saloon cars and wheelchair taxis so do the right thing and leave it as it is.
04.31pm - 09.08.2011 rbc - dundee, scotland Report This
Not every taxi will be WAV under the new proposals. Every taxi wishing to have a yellow plate, yes, private hire, no. So, saloon cars shall remain, all you have to do is the office you phone...simples. I agree with Erik. Why should I pay £37,000 for a my WAV when others have a £10,000 skoda.
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