‘We’re not a priority’: People with disabilities wait up to three hours for transport in regional Queensland

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Demand for accessible taxis and lack of public transport make it difficult for those with disabilities

David Conway lives in Mackay, where he struggles to access public transport and wheelchair-accessible taxis.David Conway lives in Mackay, where he struggles to access public transport and wheelchair-accessible taxis., David Conway sometimes waits up to three hours for a taxi to arrive.

“I have endocrine issues and I need to do a blood test within the next two weeks so my specialist can make sure my medication is right,” Conway says.Conway is vision impaired and paraplegic. He says drivers operating taxis don’t always have the appropriate training, putting passengers with disabilities at risk.“I fell out of my chair, smashed my head and was bleeding through my nose and face.

“Sometimes there are just no accessible taxis working or available due to low numbers,” Ryan tells Guardian Australia. Elisha Matthews lives in Hamilton, in north-east Brisbane, and says it’s nearly impossible to book an accessible taxi between 3pm and 5pm. Matthews lives with a neurological condition and autoimmune disease, which affects her mobility and causes her pain and fatigue.

“I argued once and the driver got very aggressive, and I did fear for my safety. I decided after that it was safer for me to not argue,” Matthews says.The state’s Department of Transport and Main Roads said the government launched a wheelchair-accessible taxi scheme in 2019 by funding half the cost of a vehicle.

 

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In my area no transport to city. School bus only and $30 one way. Patient transport $30 ALSO. MOST TIME SPECIALIST, DENTIST NOT DONE.

Scotty counts his blessings that he is not you.

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