Questions A Disabled Person May Ask Before Hiring Wheelchair Taxi Services

 

Wheelchair-accessible taxis are not like standard vehicles. They play a significant role in the lives of passengers who have mobility issues and can barely move around without a wheelchair.

The transport industry, considering the needs for people with disabilities to travel, has come up with something as functional and unique as the wheelchair taxi service. 

These cars are designed to offer safe rides to passengers with wheelchairs. In the following lines, we are about to unfold some questions that people ask.

Every person seeking such services has to comply with some of the safety obligations to ensure that safety is maintained throughout the ride. Let’s discuss these questions. 

What are the most common requirements that a passenger has when they ride the wheelchair taxi? 

Wheelchair taxis must comply with the following: 

• Having an interior space that must be at least 1300mm x 800mm in length and width. Also, these cars must have an interior height of 1500mm to ensure that the wheelchairs can be carried without any hassle. 

• Having no intrusions except for the adjustable restraining devices. 

• Complying with the specified safety rules that are solely related to ramps and hoists which passengers with disabilities require in order to travel with wheelchairs. There must be some kind of a restraint system along with wheelchair tie-down systems. 

• Complying with disability standards

• Carrying adequate wheelchair restraints 

• Carrying approved child restraints 

When is the fare calculation meter started or stopped? 

The fare calculation meter is turned on when the passenger boards the vehicle and their wheelchair has been securely taken in. The meter is started as the trip begins.

However, there are some essential rules for running the meter which is as follows: 

• A driver needs to turn on the meter when the trip begins and must turn it off when the specified destination arrives. This time frame is calculated between coming to a halt at the destination and assisting the disabled passenger with the unloading process. 

• The driver must turn off the meter when the wheelchair taxi comes to a temporary halt for refueling purposes. 

• The meter must be turned off when the driver asks for payment. 

Will a passenger be allowed to take a seat on their wheelchair or their mobility scooter? 

Passengers with disabilities are not allowed to sit on a mobility scooter while traveling on a wheelchair taxi. They should remain seated on the seat of the taxi like normal passengers with their seat belts on. 

These are common questions which passengers with mobility issues hiring wheelchair taxis must ask the service provider.