Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
Scotland’s Parliament heard renewed criticism of transport provision for people with disabilities after Members of the Scottish Parliament raised concerns that too few accessible taxis are available. The debate, held on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, highlighted mobility barriers that persist despite longstanding commitments to provide access.
Speakers described long waits routinely faced by people who use wheelchairs when trying to book accessible taxis. A Member told the chamber that people with disabilities are forced to wait excessive periods because the supply of suitable vehicles is too small — a shortfall that undermines everyday travel and wider inclusion goals.
Pam Duncan-Glancy said: “When people with disabilities try to use accessible taxis to get around, we face long waits because there are very few taxis available, as a result of some policy decisions.” Contributors also raised Scotland’s limited capacity for carrying more than one wheelchair user at a time across transport modes, noting that design and commissioning choices separate groups of wheelchair users and obstruct equal access.
Members added that parts of the public transport network remain inaccessible. Glasgow’s subway was cited as an example that remains off limits to many People with Disabilities, which increases reliance on taxis to fill the gap; participants questioned whether support and incentives are sufficient and pointed to the Social Model of Disability as a standard for removing barriers so people with disabilities can travel on the same terms as others.
Read the Full Article: TAXI SHORTAGES: Decline in wheelchair accessible cabs for disabled passengers criticised in Holyrood debate.
By: Perry Richardson
