Are You an Accessible Taxi User in Calgary?
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Last updated: April 30, 2018
The City of Calgary is making improvements to the wheelchair accessible taxi framework in Calgary.
Thank you to all the accessible taxi users and taxi drivers who attended the March 7, 2018 SPC on Community & Protective Services meeting to tell City Council why accessible taxi options are important in our city! |
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CAN Transportation Position Statement
Background:
The CAN Transportation table is a collaborative of organizations and advocates from the disability community; our vision is Transportation for All Calgarians. We work together to enhance inclusive, accessible transportation for Calgarians through advocacy and collaboration.
Issue:
We fear that in an effort to reduce the financial burden for Accessible Taxi Plate License (ATPL) holders, accessible transportation service options to Calgarians with disabilities may be compromised.
Position:
The Alberta Human Rights Act stipulates that no person shall deny to any persons or class of persons, or discriminate against any persons or class of persons any service customarily available to the public based on physical disability or mental disability.
Able-bodied Calgarians have access to 24/7 transportation options. The CAN Transportation table envisions all Calgarians having access to 24/7 transportation options; for this reason, we view accessible taxi’s, including wheelchair accessible vehicles, as being a vitally important service in Calgary.
Recommendations:
On-demand wheelchair accessible taxi service needs to be:
✓ Available, on-demand 24/7
✓ Available throughout the entire city of Calgary
✓ Affordable
1. Ensure people who use wheelchairs have access to transportation options from midnight to 6:00am
2. Base subsidy for Accessible Driver Taxi Place License (ATPL) holders on service delivery, for example:
3. Improve wait times by:
4. Improve the ACE card program by:
5. Ask Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) to participate in wheelchair accessible service to assist with dispatch and affordability
The CAN Transportation table is a collaborative of organizations and advocates from the disability community; our vision is Transportation for All Calgarians. We work together to enhance inclusive, accessible transportation for Calgarians through advocacy and collaboration.
Issue:
We fear that in an effort to reduce the financial burden for Accessible Taxi Plate License (ATPL) holders, accessible transportation service options to Calgarians with disabilities may be compromised.
Position:
The Alberta Human Rights Act stipulates that no person shall deny to any persons or class of persons, or discriminate against any persons or class of persons any service customarily available to the public based on physical disability or mental disability.
Able-bodied Calgarians have access to 24/7 transportation options. The CAN Transportation table envisions all Calgarians having access to 24/7 transportation options; for this reason, we view accessible taxi’s, including wheelchair accessible vehicles, as being a vitally important service in Calgary.
Recommendations:
On-demand wheelchair accessible taxi service needs to be:
✓ Available, on-demand 24/7
✓ Available throughout the entire city of Calgary
✓ Affordable
1. Ensure people who use wheelchairs have access to transportation options from midnight to 6:00am
2. Base subsidy for Accessible Driver Taxi Place License (ATPL) holders on service delivery, for example:
- If a “verification” of the ride is required, citizens who use wheelchairs could apply/receive a card that “authorizes” the driver to claim his/her subsidy for that trip
- A subsidy which “awards” drivers makes sense only when the customer is guaranteed a shorter wait time and quality service
3. Improve wait times by:
- Developing a dispatch system where all available wheelchair taxi locations are known
- Sending the closest available accessible taxi
4. Improve the ACE card program by:
- Providing more education on the ACE card, including clear eligibility guidelines for ACE
- Review the ACE program to ensure more Calgarians have access to vital, emergency back-up transportation for CTA
5. Ask Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) to participate in wheelchair accessible service to assist with dispatch and affordability
How do CAN Transportation Members Feel About Accessible Taxis in Calgary?
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"People want their independence, dignity and respect intact in all aspects of their daily lives. The wheelchair accessible taxis are a vital component of life for a large number of citizens of all ages and backgrounds."
- Colin Cantlie "I have personally taken wheelchair taxis and I have sometimes waited a long time for service and even experienced some safety issues. To me, this suggests there is room for my city to be more accessible for all."
- Lauri Brunner |
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SPC on Community & Protective Services
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