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January 21, 2016 - 11:40 AM
KAMLOOPS - Local taxis companies don't need Kamloops city council's encouragement to meet the demand for wheelchair accessable cabs.
Councillors discussed but eventually scrapped a motion this week to encourage cab companies in Kamloops to run their wheelchair cabs 24/7. It originated after a mother with a disabled son gave a presentation to the social planning committee.
Kami Cabs and Yellow Cabs have five wheelchair accessible cabs between the two of them and each have at least one running at all times as long as it’s not down for routine maintenance or out of service for an unforeseen issue. They’re permits from the province also define how they schedule accessible taxis.
Part of the motion suggested councillors try using accessible transportation around the city during a busy period to see what challenges people with physical difficulties face in Kamloops.
Coun. Arjun Singh pointed out this might be counter productive.
“Perhaps we shouldn’t use wheelchair cabs while busy,” Singh said. “The resources would be misplaced moving council.”
The idea of putting the wheelchair taxis schedule and phone numbers for the city’s two cab companies was denied as they’re private companies and listings of that type aren’t allowed on the city website.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Brendan Kergin at bkergin@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016