Wheelchair users hit by shortage of accessible taxis

When Janice Johnstone wants to go for a night out in Dumfries, it can turn into something of a military operation.

There is just one wheelchair-accessible taxi available to take her anywhere, so she has to book him days in advance in order to be sure of making any appointment.

A last minute plan, which many of us might take for granted, is not something she can even consider.

"You can't do anything on the spur of the moment - not at all," she said.

Janice - who raised the issue via the BBC's Your Voice service - said it was only in the past couple of years that she had realised how big an issue this was.

"I've had a disability all my life but it's only been since I've not been able to transfer - needing to use a chair all the time - that I've realised how difficult it is for a wheelchair users, especially in the town," she said.

"The lack of accessible transport has a big impact on a lot of people.

"A lot of people, I think, have their own wheelchair-accessible vehicles but I'm on my own."

She used to enjoy going out to concerts and the theatre but the one taxi driver she can use only works part-time.

"He doesn't do late evenings and that's quite restricting as well," she said.

Janice is aware of two other accessible taxis in the region but they only do school runs.

Dumfries and Galloway Council confirmed three vehicles cover the entire region and its population of about 150,000.

"You can't go last minute to anything," said Janice.

"I've been away visiting family in the city - you can just phone and get a wheelchair accessible taxi.

"I know we're not like Glasgow or Edinburgh, but at least a couple would be beneficial, I think."

Stuart Frew, of local firm United Taxis, said the issue was simply cost.

"I'd love to be able to have one on the road but cost to purchase is very expensive, then there is the running costs for it also," he said.

"As a company we are exploring such but for now it's not in my price range to be able to purchase something."

He said he was aware of the issue with wheelchair access.

"If I could, I'd have one running as it's frustrating knowing how many people require such and we can't provide just now," he said.

"Even to purchase a used one is expensive."

Dumfries and Galloway Council, said it recognised the important role that wheelchair-accessible taxis played in helping people travel independently.

Earlier this year, a report showed there were 185 licensed taxis and 60 private hire vehicles operating in the region.

Transport Scotland recommends at least 20% of licensed taxis should be wheelchair-accessible.

"At present, there are three licensed wheelchair-accessible taxi and private hire vehicles operating within Dumfries and Galloway," the council confirmed.

This represents less than 2% of the total fleet.

In March this year, the council's enabling and customer services committee agreed a number of steps to try to increase provision.

These included creating a new zoning system for licences and a reduced fee for operators.

"The committee recognised that the cost of purchasing and operating wheelchair accessible vehicles can be a barrier," it added.

"The new licensing arrangements have been developed to help encourage greater provision and create additional opportunities for operators wishing to enter the market."

In the meantime, Janice will have to continue planning her travel well in advance with her taxi driver.

"I had to book it last week to go out tomorrow," she said.

"If I get an appointment, I've got to say right away to him, can he manage that?

"And then there is the issue of funerals, for instance - if it's a day he's not working, then you can't go to a funeral or family functions or friends' functions and things.

An increase in provision would give her much more freedom to, as she describes it, "live a normal life".

She said: "You would just have a bit of independence and a bit of life because otherwise you're stuck indoors all the time.

"Mentally it's good to go out and do things."