Calls for financial assistance for taxi drivers

TAXI drivers in rural areas should be given financial assistance from the government to buy wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs), councillors have argued.

There are nearly 250 taxis (standard taxis and private hire cars) on the road in Dumfries and Galloway – just three of which can accommodate wheelchair users.

However, taxi drivers are priced out of buying WAVs – as new, purpose-built wheelchair accessible taxis often start at over £40,000 – while licensing fees have also been more expensive.

The issue was raised at a recent council committee where councillors discussed ways to try and remove barriers to more wheelchair accessible vehicles being introduced.

Lochar Councillor Ivor Hyslop asked if there were more basic options with ramps rather than hydraulic lifting systems for wheelchair users.

Responding, council licensing manager Sharon Davidson said: “The fact that the vehicles do tend to be more expensive is more down to their size and the type of vehicle that they’re purchasing.”

“Although we have a minimum number of wheelchair accessible vehicles at the moment, some of them do have manual type ramps rather than an actual mechanical lift.”

After discussion, councillors agreed to lobby both governments for financial support for taxi drivers in rural regions for purchasing wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

They also agreed to reduce fees for wheelchair accessible vehicles to £230 for a new licence or renewal of licence, and £65 for substitution of a vehicle;