Users claim wheelchair taxi drivers are refusing fares

Galway City Tribune – Wheelchair users in Galway City are finding it increasingly difficult to book a taxi that can accommodate them – because they are ‘too much trouble’ for some drivers.

And the National Transport Authority has been urged to carry out random inspections on the ranks in the city and take action against those who refuse to accommodate wheelchair users.

According to the Irish Wheelchair Association, there are 124 wheelchair accessible taxis operating in Galway, but they are calling for all taxis in the city to be in a position to accommodate everyone with physical disabilities.

And former Mayor of Galway Cllr Frank Fahy, himself a taxi driver, said that some operators were offering every excuse they can to refuse to carry a wheelchair user.

The Fine Gael councillor said that applicants for wheelchair accessible taxis were getting grants of up to €10,000 from the Government and many were refusing to make themselves available to those with a disability.

“To some of the drivers, wheelchair users are too much bother for them. It takes them five or six minutes to load them onto the taxis and they cannot start the meter until the journey begins.

“The same is true of some drivers who are asked to take a fare to the likes of College Road. They refuse because it is not worth their while,” Cllr Fahy said.

In recent weeks, the Galway City Tribune has been contacted by a number of wheelchair users who outlined their difficulties in getting a taxi in Galway.

One woman said that she has to call a number of companies before being able to get a taxi and on Sundays it is particularly difficult.

“If there is a match on or an event taking place in the city, forget it”, she said.
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