Riders Group Angered About 'Discriminatory' Taxi Rates
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
December 1, 2006

OSWESTRY, ENGLAND--Warrington Police officer James McKune says the fare he was charged recently for an accessible taxi was a crime.

McKune, who is recovering from a July motorcycle accident, told the Shropshire Star that when he and his partner recently went out to eat, they requested a cab that could accommodate his wheelchair. When the taxi arrived, the driver informed them that they would be charged £9.50 ($19 US) one-way -- which is 50 percent more than the regular fare.

"I queried it with them and the reason the driver gave at the time was the fact I am taking up a six-seater taxi," he said. "Also, they had to buy a specially adapted taxi so someone has got to end up paying for it."

"As far as I am aware it is discrimination," McKune said.

David Cox of the Oswestry Access Group, which represents people with Disabilities, agreed.

"Overcharging like this is illegal and should be reported to the Disability Rights Commission," he said.

Some local cab companies want the local council to insist that all taxis use meters, so that the fares would be the same for all riders.

Related:
"Wheelchair charge fury" (Shropshire Star)
http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2006/11/wheelchair-charge-fury/

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Reproduced here under special arrangement with Inclusion Daily Express international disability rights news service.
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