IN a day and age when governments are promoting equal opportunity, equal rights and equal access for all Australians, it is shameful disabled people on the Copper Coast can’t access taxi transport.
Living in the country, we don’t have public transport like our city counterparts, even though last time I checked we pay the same amount of taxes as everyone else in the state.
Instead, we rely on private enterprise for transport options.
However, as any good owner/operator knows, a business needs to be making money for it to be viable and worth all the blood, sweat and tears.
The local bus service to Adelaide has recently had to rearrange its timetable and cut back on of runs as there simply weren’t enough people filling seats to make it viable.
This has left some southern Yorke Peninsula residents even more isolated with limited opportunities to make a trip to Adelaide.
Now, it has been revealed the local wheelchair taxi has been unavailable since November, due to government rules and regulations a meter must be installed.
A Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure inspector will be visiting Yorke Peninsula next week to approve the meter and get the vehicle back on the road, but this is only a short-term fix.
The DPTI has also ruled the taxi has run its course and is at the end of its road life, an extension has been given for it to operate until the end of January.
Copper Triangle Taxis is currently searching for a replacement, but it could be a costly exercise.
The government needs to come to the table and support the business which is providing a service for local disabled people.
Everyone deserves the same opportunity to get around.
Amie Brokenshire, Editor