Wheelchair Accessible Taxis - VRT

[Truthteller1]

Hi,

I would be grateful if you could look over the links below and think about this suggestion.

I am a Father of a child with Special needs and would like to Import a London Cab (New) for use as a Taxi.

These cost in the region of 40 - 45 thousand Euro.

If you Added VRT etc. onto these, then they are Economically Unviable.

I would hope that All VRT and Taxes could be removed from these type of Taxis.

This would improve the standard of Taxis and Accessibility in one stroke of a pen.

This could be implemented with the VRT changes due this summer.


http://www.lti.co.uk/tx4/whats-new/



http://www.lti.co.uk/tx4/accessibility/



http://www.mannandoverton.com/london/new_vehicles.php


Your views are much appreciated.

[HanleyS]

Isn't London Taxi system still heavily regulated and extremely customer unfriendly?

Hence the licensed drivers there can afford these vehicles.

[Truthteller1]

Yes but the actual Taxi Cabs are built for purpose.
I Don't propose we bring in some of their outdated systems such as "The Knowledge" which can take up to 4 years to achieve.
I Just believe that the London Cab is perfect for the Customers / Those with Special Needs and the Drivers in terms of Safety.
Please look at the links above.

[HanleyS]

Yes, but the only reson that London Cabbies can afford these machines is because they're so heavily regulated and hence profitable. It would be a backwards move to try and bring about such a situation in Ireland. I sympathise with your need to transport your son but running a taxi is not going to be profitable if you are paying 40 to 50 thousand for the vehicle. Without subsidy it's infeasble, and I mean subsidy in excess of any VRT waived.

[Aindriu]

This would improve the standard of Taxis and Accessibility in one stroke of a pen.

How so? They are noisy & uncomfortable. They aren't exactly fast off the mark either as they are designed to just plod around a city for the odd 1 million miles or so. I certainly wouldn't want to be in one on a long motorway drive.

[Truthteller1]

Not If you primarily use the Taxi for Carrying Disabled People.
If I were to hand out business cards to the CRC and other groups,
I believe I would be kept much busier than the Numerous Non Accessible Cabs around Dublin / Ireland.
Also if Subsidies were needed to promote the availability of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles,
Then that is what should happen.

50,000 spread over 9 years to include interest would probably cost 200 Euro per week.
A Radio (CB) costs 100 Euro per week - This means that operating off business cards - your real costs approach that of any other Taxi Man with a Radio and an Inferior Car.

[HanleyS]

A subsidy for accessible taxis becomes a subsidy for all taxis if all taxis become accessible.

[Truthteller1]

This would improve the standard of Taxis and Accessibility in one stroke of a pen.

How so? They are noisy & uncomfortable. They aren't exactly fast off the mark either as they are designed to just plod around a city for the odd 1 million miles or so. I certainly wouldn't want to be in one on a long motorway drive.

Most Fares are between 5 and 10 miles (less than a half an hour) mostly.
The Newer Models have better engines and less noise.
If you can - Browse the Links.

[Truthteller1]

A subsidy for accessible taxis becomes a subsidy for all taxis if all taxis become accessible.

I don't believe that All 20,000 / 30,000 Taxis would go with this option.

Also, I can't see why a small subsidy and a limited rollout couldn't be achieved.
1000 Grants on offer in Dublin of 5000 would cost 5 Million Quid.
Other Quotas for the other cities and regions.
Besides my initial Proposal is just to remove the VRT etc. [/u]

[HanleyS]

Relax with throwing around the roll eyes. You were perfectly aware of what I said above about the need for a subsidy and replied in that context. A bit of manners makes for a better discussion.

A limited rollout of subsidised licences sounds like a return to the old system. Or at least a partial return.