‘Be Mobile’ restricted to groups?
The Christchurch Transport Board’s “Be Mobile” programme for disabled people may be modified next month.
It may be cut back to cater only for groups of disabled people rather than individuals, said the board’s general manager, Mr Max Taylor, yesterday.
The “Be Mobile” programme was started by the board and the National Council of Women about five years ago. It uses a modified bus to take disabled people and their wheelchairs or walking frames where they want to go.
After this was started, the Disabled Person’s Assembly began its Total Mobility project, which gave disabled people nationally a subsidy if they travelled in specially modified taxis.
Mr Taylor said board staff were looking at restricting their service to
groups as taxis catered to individuals better.
“At present there is an overlap between buses and taxis. We want to streamline operations,” he said.
A modified bus could carry 14 people seated normally, or four persons in wheelchairs and six others seated. “Maxitaxis” could take two persons in wheelchairs and three or four persons on seats.
The proposal still had to be put to the board’s meeting next month. “As far as money goes, the ‘Be Mobile’ service has always cost far in excess of what it has brought in,” he said. “The board’s attitude has always been that if a service to the disabled was not justified, what was?”
About 60 people constantly use the “Be Mobile” service, although more were registered as eligible.
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Press, 29 January 1986, Page 8
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248‘Be Mobile’ restricted to groups? Press, 29 January 1986, Page 8
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