This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7016606.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Disabled 'ripped off' by NI taxis | Disabled 'ripped off' by NI taxis |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Disabled people are regularly ripped off by Northern Ireland taxi drivers, an assembly committee has heard. | Disabled people are regularly ripped off by Northern Ireland taxi drivers, an assembly committee has heard. |
| Those with visual and hearing problems and wheelchair users have been charged "extortionate fares, insulted and in some cases refused rides". | |
| The comments were made by the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee during a Taxis Bill debate. | The comments were made by the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee during a Taxis Bill debate. |
| The chairman of Belfast Private Hire Association said the disabled should be treated to same as anyone else. | |
| Barbara Fleming, who uses a wheelchair, told the assembly's environment committee while some drivers catered for the needs of disabled people, it was common to face discrimination. | Barbara Fleming, who uses a wheelchair, told the assembly's environment committee while some drivers catered for the needs of disabled people, it was common to face discrimination. |
| She said drivers had shouted and swore at her and even shoved her into a taxi. | |
| "I was going to a function in a bowling club on the Malone Road," she said. | "I was going to a function in a bowling club on the Malone Road," she said. |
| "I knew taxis cost one-and-a-half times the fare and I worked out the ride would cost £15. I was charged £35 one way and that left me with no money to get home. | "I knew taxis cost one-and-a-half times the fare and I worked out the ride would cost £15. I was charged £35 one way and that left me with no money to get home. |
| Disabled people are treated with a lack of dignity by taxi drivers Michael LorimerInclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee | Disabled people are treated with a lack of dignity by taxi drivers Michael LorimerInclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee |
| "I have a heart condition and I had the stress of not knowing how I was going to get home that night." | "I have a heart condition and I had the stress of not knowing how I was going to get home that night." |
| Ms Fleming said in some cases people with guide dogs had been refused taxis because drivers claimed they were allergic to dogs. | Ms Fleming said in some cases people with guide dogs had been refused taxis because drivers claimed they were allergic to dogs. |
| Deaf people had been overcharged and had been fearful about complaining in case they were refused a ride. | Deaf people had been overcharged and had been fearful about complaining in case they were refused a ride. |
| Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee executive secretary Michael Lorimer said drivers had also taken advantage of people with visual impairments. | Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee executive secretary Michael Lorimer said drivers had also taken advantage of people with visual impairments. |
| He said one wheelchair user was charged £70 for a quarter of a mile trip in Londonderry. | He said one wheelchair user was charged £70 for a quarter of a mile trip in Londonderry. |
| One tier system | One tier system |
| "Disabled people are treated with a lack of dignity by taxi drivers," he said. | "Disabled people are treated with a lack of dignity by taxi drivers," he said. |
| Mr Lorimer also said there were very few cabs available to disabled visitors who arrive at Belfast International Airport. | Mr Lorimer also said there were very few cabs available to disabled visitors who arrive at Belfast International Airport. |
| The Department of the Environment was urged to set vehicle accessibility standards. | The Department of the Environment was urged to set vehicle accessibility standards. |
| Committee chairman Patsy McGlone said the discrimination experienced by people with disabilities was shocking and inexcusable". | Committee chairman Patsy McGlone said the discrimination experienced by people with disabilities was shocking and inexcusable". |
| Peter Weir, DUP, said: "What you have said shows at least a need for some degree of reform of the current system to ensure disabled people are put on the same level playing field as everybody else." | Peter Weir, DUP, said: "What you have said shows at least a need for some degree of reform of the current system to ensure disabled people are put on the same level playing field as everybody else." |