By Emily Yeap
After two years of planning and debate, accessible cabs are finally on Ottawa’s streets.
There are six London black cabs and nine side-entry, wheelchair-accessible vans now in the city.
Another 10 vehicles are expected by year’s end, including some rear-entry vans, says Linda Anderson, manager of the city’s enforcement and inspections of bylaw services.
“It’s an alternative for the disabled community. Just like the non-disabled have OC Transpo and taxis, the disabled now have Para Transpo and accessible cabs,” she says.
The vehicles were originally due on the road by the end of June. But issues like driver testing, vehicle availability and installation of equipment delayed services until September, Anderson explains.
Charles Matthews, president of Disabled and Proud, an organization that represents disabled people in Ottawa, says people with disabilities have been waiting for these vehicles for a long time.
“The disabled community now have transportation on demand just like everyone else. We can be more mobile than ever before.”
Coventry Connections, owner of Blue Line and DJ’s taxi companies, operates all the London black cabs and eight of the accessible vans.
Hanif Patni, president and CEO of the company, says that before accessible cab services began Ottawa was the only major Canadian city without taxis catering to disabled people on demand.
While a side-entry van already exists in Ottawa through West-Way Taxi, there’s only one in the city and it has to be reserved in advance.
“It was clear Ottawa had a serious problem,” says Patni.
To improve taxi services, Coventry Connections joined forces with disabled groups and city bylaw officers in 2001 to bring accessible cabs to Ottawa. Last November, city council approved 25 new vehicles.
“It’s been a successful public-private partnership in making it happen,” says Patni. “We hope these vehicles make a difference.”
Twenty-five drivers won licence plates for the cabs through a lottery organized by the city in April.
Sanjeev Bhandari, a taxi driver since 1983, was one of them.
“It’s a good feeling. Out of more than 900 people applying, I won,” says Bhandari, who owns a London black cab.
Patni says the market price for a licence plate is about $120,000.
It’s expensive because only a limited number of plates can be issued based on a city’s population.
Before buying accessible cabs, drivers had to pass a five-day training course. They learned about human rights and diversity, passenger safety, emergency procedures and equipment handling.
Matthews and Patni say both the London black cabs and side-entry vans have advantages and drawbacks.
While London black cabs have extra features like lower floors, higher roofs, built-in child seats and an intercom system, they can only accommodate one wheelchair and have a price tag of $70,000.
Side-entry vans don’t have as many features, but they’re cheaper — about $55,000 — and can carry two wheelchairs.
Matthews says accessible cabs operate like regular cabs, except accessible cab drivers can service passengers anywhere in the city regardless of existing taxi zones.
Patni says anyone can use the accessible cabs, but priority will be given to disabled people. Taxi fares are the same as in regular cabs.
Coventry Connections has created AccessBlue for booking accessible vehicles. AccessBlue cabs share the same dispatch phone number as Blue Line cabs.
Accessible cab services began in the midst of a possible Para Transpo strike.
On Sept. 23, workers voted to reject a contract offer by management — for the second time in two weeks.
Patni says accessible cabs came at the right time, ready to offer relief to disabled residents should a strike occur.
“They’ll take pressure off disabled people who really need to get from one place to another,” says Patni.