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Looking for private taxi for large wheelchair in London

Hello,
I have been trying the last 2 weeks to find a company who can take me in my wheelchair to my embassy in Central London on the 19th December so I can get a new passport. I have a slightly wider, taller manual wheelchair and would prefer to stay in the chair - but if I should transfer I need a swivel seat that comes out and the seat in the car must have ample legroom. So far I am getting nowhere.
I have been trying the last 2 weeks to find a company who can take me in my wheelchair to my embassy in Central London on the 19th December so I can get a new passport. I have a slightly wider, taller manual wheelchair and would prefer to stay in the chair - but if I should transfer I need a swivel seat that comes out and the seat in the car must have ample legroom. So far I am getting nowhere.
I
live in East London and need to travel 9.2 miles so Dial-A-Ride won't
take me. I have a London Taxi Card too, and I can book with them (can
just about squeeze into a ComCab), but they don't guarantee to come on
the day, and I don't know how many appointments I have missed the last
couple of years because they simply haven't turned up as they have not
found a driver. I have also been stranded for hours going home as there
has been no driver available for the return. I have an appointment at the embassy
and can't be late, they have given me the last appointment that day
(2pm) and will close when I am finished so if I don't get picked up I am
left outside on the pavement. I have to trust that whoever I am booking
with will turn up - and I don't trust ComCab for this.
And
then there is the issue with seat belts, in a Black Cab, wheelchairs
are not strapped in as there are no belts. Every time I go to hospital I
get hospital transport and I am safely strapped in. I don't really like
going for such a long journey without wearing a seatbelt and I find it
strange that Black Cabs are allowed to transport us like that - but I do
use them for the few times I have to go and see my GP and dentist which
is close to my house. One of the private hire companies I was in touch
with said they were not insured to take me as they could not offer
seatbelts for wheelchair users.
Apart
from hospital and other medical appointments I have been housebound for
many years since giving up my Motability car so I have no experience
with booking hire cars for wheelchair users. Can any of you please help
with suggesting a company I can contact?
Anyone have any experience in getting around by hire car?
I have all the measurements for my wheelchair and me if anyone wants them.
Thanks ever so much.
Best wishes,
Helene
Replies
Welcome to the community, how frustrating for you. I found this information, I know you say you don't trust com cab but have you tried the others?
Computer Cab
0207 908 0207
Credit/debit card bookings: 0207 432 1432
Cash bookings: 0207 908 0207
Comcab bookings
[email protected]
0800 211 8087
[email protected]
[email protected]
0800 211 8914
[email protected]
Wimbledon and surrounding areas
Senior online community officer
Senior online community officer
Total length: 140cm (including leg rests which can be folded down when entering and exiting the car)
Chair height: 100cm
Total height: 145cm (although I can bend forward getting through the door opening if necessary)
Chair total width: 74cm
Wheel width: 67cm
"I'm trying to live like a random poem I read that ended 'to bloom where we are planted"
I asked the driver what would happen if we had an accident since I am not wearing a seatbelt. Would I be covered by his insurance? He said he didn't know, he had no idea. And then he said I should probably not call ComCab and ask because they would probably then refuse to take me in the future and then I would have no one who would take me out every time Dial-A-Ride has no available journeys (which is most of the time)!
Senior online community officer
Try Network Express, it provides mini cab services but has vehicles specifically for wheelchairs. http://www.networkminicabs.co.uk/Wheelchair-Accessibility.html
As an individual I stood alone.
As a member of a group I did things.
As part of a community I helped to create change!
Helene