UBER ASSIST TO LAUNCH IN BRUM< MANCHESTER< LEEDS AND SHEFFIELD TODAY AT 3PM.

Taxi app Uber is launching its new accessibility service in Birmingham.

UberASSIST aims to provide extra help to taxi users with disabilities or access needs.

It is going live in Birmingham and three other cities from 3pm today after launching in London last October.

Users of the app can request a vehicle driven by an uberASSIST partner-driver who arrives ready to give additional assistance to riders.

All drivers have completed a disability equality course, developed and delivered by disabled trainers working for charity Transport for All.

Research by the Extra Costs Commission said disabled people used taxi and private hire services more often than non-disabled people and many said they had been overcharged while travelling.

Uber's general manager for Birmingham Fouzan Ali said: "We want everybody to be able to get a convenient, safe and affordable ride at the push of a button.

"The expansion of uberASSIST is an important step towards making our service even more accessible for riders across the country.

"We're always working hard to make sure we can serve every part of every community in every city.

"Following the launch in London, we have received great feedback both from riders who use the service and partner-drivers who are proud to be able to offer additional assistance."

Faryal Velmi, director at Transport for All, added: "We are happy to continue our work with Uber.

"The training provided to drivers means that they have a greater understanding of the challenges that disabled passengers face and are aware of how people may want to be assisted when travelling."

http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/creative/uber-launches-new-taxi-service-10801891?

Comment

This service will need the facility of Wheelchair access at some point.

Do not be surprised if Licensed Hackneys in these area's sign up for the service. We know that many scabs have already done so in London.

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A former Gravesend taxi driver has been jailed for 25 years, after murdering his wife and burying her under the patio at their home in Portugal with their dead pets.

Nigel Jackson, 60, repeatedly beat his 72-year-old wife Brenda Davidson over the head before burying her in a shallow grave, in a scheme to replace her with a younger, wealthy woman.


Ms Davidson was found wrapped in a blanket and plastic tarpaulin under a concrete slab, at the couple's home of 10 years in the Algarve, on January 6 last year.


She had been missing since November 2014, with her husband telling neighbours she was in the UK being treated for a hacking cough.

He denied murder but was found guilty of his crimes and was sentenced at a court in Portimão today (January 28) - according to local paper Correio Damanha.


http://goo.gl/Iy7okv
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PLYMOUTH

A care worker has criticised taxi companies for failing to provide enough wheelchair accessible vehicles at weekends – which she claims amounts to discrimination.

Sabrina Jones looks after a severely disabled woman who relies entirely on adapted taxis to get around.

But she added that on three occasions on Saturdays and Sundays over the last three months she has been unable to get a vehicle despite trying different companies.

Twice she has had to cancel hospital appointments for the woman and once they have had to go to an earlier screening of a different film because a taxi has not been available later.


Mrs Jones, who said she could not give any details of her client, said: “I think this is discrimination against disabled people not being able to access the community.”

She said that sometimes a taxi had been available for an outward journey but not the trip back.

Mrs Jones said one Saturday she was told no vehicle would be available after 1pm.

She added: “I have tried different phone numbers but on each occasion I was told no taxis were available. It is really annoying.

“The hospital appointments had to be rescheduled and it took several weeks for her to get there.”

The Herald contacted Crownhill Taxi’s, one of the companies Mrs Jones claims she had been in touch with to try and get a taxi for her and her care patient.

Managing Director, Andy Wheeler said: “There would have been no need for us to give a call back to a customer who was enquiring about one of our wheelchair access vehicles as our staff are trained correctly and we would have been able to help there and then.

“We are contracted to Plymouth City Council and have a high demand for our special access vehicles as we are needed in peak times for school help and care homes.

“If needing a special access vehicle, we would recommend to book at least a day in advance so we can accommodate the booking.”

Chairman of Plymouth Taxi’s, Philip Cramer said he found it “quite astonishing” that this supposed event happened.

“All of our vehicles have special access, and we accommodate for a lot of disabled travel throughout the city.

“As the weekends are the busiest period for us, we ensure we have a maximum amount of drivers on the road to accommodate any travel.

“I find it unbelievable that we weren't able to help and would urge Mrs Jones to contact us so we are able to listen to the call and can assist if there was a problem.

“Transport with disabled access is a core part of our business, and although we may not be able to get a special access vehicle to a customer immediately, we can usually accommodate within 20 minutes to half an hour.”

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Care-worker-slams-Plymouth-taxi-firms-lack/story-28626694-detail/story.html#ixzz3yc0Tvg1B