Posted on the 20th February 2025 in PHTM News

WHEELCHAIR TAXI SHORTAGE LEAVES USERS ISOLATED IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Northern Ireland's shortage of wheelchair accessible taxis is leaving disabled people feeling isolated and trapped, with some forced to choose between staying home, risking being stranded, or relying on the police for transport.

With only 354 Class B taxis operating in the region, 200 of them concentrated in Belfast, demand far outstrips supply. This scarcity often results in 12-hour shifts for drivers, primarily focused on transporting passengers to medical appointments, effectively creating a "de-facto curfew" for those needing accessible transport after teatime.

Sarah Griffiths, a mother of three from near Lisnaskea, recounted her experience trying to get to a concert in Belfast.

"I rang about half a dozen different firms and they all said they didn't have any wheelchair taxis available because it was post 5pm," she explained.

Feeling vulnerable and scared, she was advised to call the police. Griffiths argues that access to the evening economy shouldn't be too much to ask. "It’s almost as if that if I can get to my doctor's appointment and get to the dentist and do those things, then I should be grateful for that, and I shouldn't be expected to have a social life post 5pm, which really isn't good enough at all.”

Padraic Farrell often propels himself long distances rather than wait for a taxi. "I have done it in pretty terrible weather, where you're sat for the rest of the night with clothes that you've not prepared to be soaked in for the night," he said.

He expressed frustration, noting: "I know for a fact that there's people that just don't have a social life because of it and won't even consider trying to go out for a night out for any reason, just because it's more hassle than it's worth.”

Farrell himself was once stranded after a concert in Malahide when his pre-booked taxi was cancelled without explanation. "And ultimately what happened was the Gardaí ended up, very thankfully, taking me and my partner back to the hotel that night. And again, that's not up to them", he said. "They just very kindly did that. They've got other issues that they should be worrying about rather than trying to be a taxi service for somebody stranded for the night.”

A taxi industry representative told UTV that they have been lobbying the government for financial support to address this issue. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are significantly more expensive to purchase and maintain, with higher fuel consumption, insurance costs, and longer average journeys.

These factors discourage drivers from operating these vehicles. The industry is seeking subsidies to make it financially viable.

The Department for Infrastructure acknowledged the declining number of wheelchair accessible taxis but stated that it "does not have the power or authority to assist through subsidies or schemes."


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