A new taxi firm specialising in wheelchair accessible vehicles has launched in North Tyneside. Access Cars want to make booking a Wheelchair vehicle a ‘one call’ straightforward process in a sector that has been very fragmented for service users in the past.
Paul Irwin, who is a director of music and movie tour experts and production company Tyne Idols, North East guided tour company EastCoast Tours and for the last 25 years has operated EastCoast Taxis; launched Access Cars this month and hopes that the firm will make it easier and more convenient for wheelchair users to book a taxi that is particular to their needs with a ‘one stop shop’.
The firm’s Marketing Manager Christopher Davidge said,
“Our vehicles are all set up to help people with various accessibility needs. Standard with our cars are ramps and large sliding doors in addition our drivers have all been trained in customer service skills, safe loading and unloading techniques.”
“We want our customers to feel safe and comfortable whilst travelling with us door to door. Safety and comfort is 100% our top priority.”
The company has gone the extra mile to find out what their customers want via consultation with wheelchair users whilst developing their service policies. Access Cars are launching a dedicated email address where feedback and suggestions can be posted from their customers in order to streamline the service as they develop.
One person who has been consulted is actress and wheelchair user Kim Tserkezie who stars in CBeebies Balamory.
“Accessible transport is vital to the independence of disabled people. We have increasingly active lives and many of us rely on taxi services to get to work and help get our kids to school.
“As someone who has been badly injured in the past in a taxi incident, I consider safety paramount. It’s important that taxi providers listen to the personal needs of the customer. I welcome Access Cars’ commitment to consult fully with disabled customers in order to provide a service accessible to all. Access is much more than providing a ramp on board, it’s also about the attitude that goes with it.”