Wheelchair users in Dumfries and Galloway are struggling with just three wheelchair-accessible taxis and private hire vehicles for a population of about 150,000, the BBC reports.
That is under 2% of a fleet the council put at 185 taxis and 60 private hires — far below Transport Scotland’s recommendation that at least 20% of licensed taxis be wheelchair-accessible. Operators including United Taxis’ Stuart Frew say purchase and running costs block expansion.
In March the council’s enabling and customer services committee agreed measures including a new region-wide licensing zone for WAVs and lower fees (£230 new/renewal, £65 substitution). Coverage covered the package; DNG24 noted councillors also want government financial help for rural WAV purchases. Provision remains extremely thin until more vehicles appear.