Streamline-Telecabs Taxis, Leeds
I have used these taxis lots of times and had lots of different experiences.
.When you book an accessible taxi, even if it is hours in advance, they tell you that they cannot "guarantee that a 'wheelchair taxi' will be there on time. So, for booking, I give 0/10
. I once spent 45 minutes on Lower Briggate with my mum, who was trying to flag down an accessible taxi, the taxis would slow down to stop but once they saw that she was with me who uses a wheelchair, they would drive off. So, for this, 0/10
. As taxis will not stop for me in the street, I now go and get one from the rank at the train station. Here, I have had lots of problems. One taxi driver told me that just because his taxi was one adapted for wheelchair users, it did not mean he had to take any 'wheelchairs' if he did not want too. He said that it was his choice and even though I got in the taxi, he complained during the journey about taking 'wheelchairs.'
Another time at the train station, the driver got the ramp out, so that I could get into the car but would not push me up it and said that he did not have too because it was not his job. Luckily someone was with me who did it, when we got home, he would not help my wheelchair down the ramp. So, Leeds Train Station Taxis, 0/10
. Because I had bad experiences with getting taxis at the train station, I tried to get one at the bus station rank. Here, the driver would not get his ramp out and instead, got another driver to lift my wheelchair. The footplate on my chair fell off when they were lifting and I nearly fell. When in the taxi, the driver would not strap me in because he said he did not have too. So, bus station taxis, 0/10
But, they are not all bad, it depends on the driver. Sometimes you get a driver who can't do enough to help you. Here is a photo of a great driver called Jez who was very helpful and even posed for a picture with me, I have only met him once but he is great. Jez gets a 10/10
.When you book an accessible taxi, even if it is hours in advance, they tell you that they cannot "guarantee that a 'wheelchair taxi' will be there on time. So, for booking, I give 0/10
. I once spent 45 minutes on Lower Briggate with my mum, who was trying to flag down an accessible taxi, the taxis would slow down to stop but once they saw that she was with me who uses a wheelchair, they would drive off. So, for this, 0/10
. As taxis will not stop for me in the street, I now go and get one from the rank at the train station. Here, I have had lots of problems. One taxi driver told me that just because his taxi was one adapted for wheelchair users, it did not mean he had to take any 'wheelchairs' if he did not want too. He said that it was his choice and even though I got in the taxi, he complained during the journey about taking 'wheelchairs.'
Another time at the train station, the driver got the ramp out, so that I could get into the car but would not push me up it and said that he did not have too because it was not his job. Luckily someone was with me who did it, when we got home, he would not help my wheelchair down the ramp. So, Leeds Train Station Taxis, 0/10
. Because I had bad experiences with getting taxis at the train station, I tried to get one at the bus station rank. Here, the driver would not get his ramp out and instead, got another driver to lift my wheelchair. The footplate on my chair fell off when they were lifting and I nearly fell. When in the taxi, the driver would not strap me in because he said he did not have too. So, bus station taxis, 0/10
But, they are not all bad, it depends on the driver. Sometimes you get a driver who can't do enough to help you. Here is a photo of a great driver called Jez who was very helpful and even posed for a picture with me, I have only met him once but he is great. Jez gets a 10/10
Here are some reader's comments about taxis.
Rob Moriarty City Cabs and Streamline are the two I use most regularly. I find they're fine for access so long as you're very specific about what chair you have when you ring up.
I do think it's an absolute joke that they insist you book by phone every time though when everyone else can just hop in one at will, even when you can see an accessible one right in front of you.
Ruth Gill I had no idea it was so appalling. I thought nowadays you would get a decent service. Quite shocked x
I do think it's an absolute joke that they insist you book by phone every time though when everyone else can just hop in one at will, even when you can see an accessible one right in front of you.
Ruth Gill I had no idea it was so appalling. I thought nowadays you would get a decent service. Quite shocked x
