The scheme provides subsidised access to taxis for disabled Londoners
Transport campaigners have condemned “cuts” to the London Taxicard scheme which they say will restrict the scheme’s usefulness for many members.
The scheme, funded by local authorities and Transport for London and managed by London Councils, provides subsidised travel in taxis and private hire vehicles for people with serious mobility impairments.
Members of the scheme are issued with a card which can be ‘swiped’ by the taxi driver, reducing the cost of the journey to £1.50 for a limited number of journeys per year.
Precise benefits vary between boroughs but campaigners at Transport for All say changes which came into effect this week will reduce the number of permitted trips to 104 per year and increase the subsidised fare to £2.50 per journey.
The maximum pre-discount fare which can be incurred will also decrease by £2 and “most” boroughs are reportedly ending the practice of ‘double swiping’ which allows users to doubling the discounted distance they can travel.
Lianna Etkind, Campaigns Coordinator at Transport for All, described the reductions in the scheme’s benefits as “a real kick in the teeth for older and disabled people” and said the it was “an immensely popular service because it’s so essential.”
Etkind added: “Millions of pounds has been invested into making London’s businesses, shops and public buildings more accessible. If disabled and older Londoners are denied the transport to get there, this has been wasted”.
A spokesperson for London Councils denied the scheme’s budget was being cut and said “the increasing popularity of the scheme has meant that it now costs more than the available budget in 2010/11.”
On the issue of charges the spokesperson said these “have not increased for at least 10 years” and stressed the decision of whether to continue permitting ‘double swiping’ would be taken by each borough.
The spokesperson added: “Taxicard is a discretionary scheme which boroughs would like to continue. Measures recommended by our Transport and Environment Committee are necessary to protect the scheme to ensure the service can continue for the rest of the financial year.”
Article taken from a posting on the LTDF Forum. Link click here
Original story from MayorWatch's click here
I know these are a lifeline to lots of disabled people,I am also aware that these cards make up a lot of YBs income,But we are all aware the cuts were going to be harsh and we would all suffer,And I for one could live with that,If they were fair.But before they hit the working public.Maybe they should think of practising what they preach.Do we really need so many Police standing outside Parliment doing nothing,That could halve they have radios.Take a drive around Connaught Square,and see how many police are outside Tony Blairs house and in the mews behind,And thats just one ex Prime Minister,And i guess its the same with all the others.And thats even when they are not in residence.How many minor Royals are afforded Royal Protection officers,Beatrice and Eugine spring to mind.So my feelings are cut these maybe not take them ALL away,but cut them.After all as they say we are ALL going to suffer,so how about us ALL suffering
ReplyDeleteHow much did BORIS spend on bikes that no one uses and disabled and earderly cant, millions and millions and yet none of it went on this usefull system ,t14c
ReplyDeleteWe cannot and should not take this lying down!! All that has been said so far are very valid points that need to be put to the powers that be. Also, the government are giving smokers free help with quitting; how much is that going to cost and how much of that will be a waste of time...
ReplyDeleteTo quote as your report:
ReplyDelete"On the issue of charges the spokesperson said these “have not increased for at least 10 years”
But that spokesperson is showing a blind eye to the overall increased cost to a user of a comparitive Taxicard journey.
10 years ago I could travel 5 miles with one swipe at £1.50.
As Taxi clock charges increased the swipe distance became reduced to 2.5 miles max.
A month ago, with the 'run-in' charge, I'd used one swipe in less than a mile!
Last week, with one swipe allowed at £2.50, to get to and from a local rail station (2.5 miles) cost me £15! (depending on traffic I regularly pay £3 - £6).
Like many users I have an allocation of 104 journeys. With the one-swipe restriction it is clear that my council are hoping for less Taxicard usage to justify this unfair cutback.
They're certainly 'Giving with one hand, taking back with another'
B.B. wheelchair user
Lewisham Borough