Strict taxi bus rules exclude people with mobility scooters from transportation.

Taxi transport of people with a physical disability, such as those dependent on mobility scooters, often proves to be problematic in practice. This problem was highlighted in the Meldpunt program of Omroep Max. One of the most striking aspects is the code VVR, which prescribes that travelers with a mobility scooter must not enter the taxi bus via a lift, but via the normal entrance. This is in contrast to wheelchair users, who are allowed to board the elevator.

These regulations lead to practical problems. A striking example from the program was the situation of Mr van Schijndel, who is unable to climb the high steps of the bus due to his physical disability. This illustrates the discrepancy between the regulations and the reality of travelers with a physical disability.

Caroll Sastro, affiliated with the platform for the disabled, emphasizes that the problems surrounding mobility scooters are deeper. According to her, the mobility scooter is an essential disabled vehicle that is too often treated as a 'stepchild'. These vehicles are assigned to people with physical limitations, indicating that it is not just a convenience option.

“I think that something is wrong with the mindset in society as a whole about the mobility scooter. It is treated a bit like a stepchild, not quite disabled or disabled. And I don't think that's right. The mobility scooter is a disabled vehicle and is a WMO provision. It is assigned to these people by the municipality because they have a physical disability, so they are not just assigned.”

Caroll Sastro – Disabled Platform

mobility scooter

Diana Begeman, with over thirty years of experience as a taxi driver, offers valuable insight into the practical reality of transporting mobility scooter users. The program uses her expertise to highlight the complexity of current transport rules. She shares an incident where a mobility scooter user attempted to drive out of the vehicle independently, resulting in a fall.

“We once experienced that a mobility scooter during unloading that the gentleman himself wanted to quickly drive a mobility scooter off. Yes, that happened too, but not in the way it should have. And it fell. The mobility scooter is for people who are still somewhat mobile and they could then also make the transition via the steps.”

Diana Begeman – owner of Taxi Steen Ommen

This incident illustrates the dangers that can arise when travelers are not fully informed of the applicable safety procedures. Begeman emphasizes that the current regulations regarding boarding a mobility scooter are often unclear for users. According to her, many people wrongly think that they can enter the taxi bus with their mobility scooter via the lift, which is not allowed due to safety considerations. She makes a distinction between wheelchair users, who are forced to remain in their wheelchair and are therefore allowed to board via the lift, and mobility scooter users, who, according to her, often still have some mobility and could therefore use the stairs.

information provision

Begeman also points out the importance of good instructions and information provision, both for drivers and passengers. She refers to instruction cards and checklists for drivers, published by the Social Mobility Fund, and emphasizes the need for mobility scooter users to be aware of what is and is not allowed when using taxi services. 

“If you need a taxi for the health insurer, or perhaps for Valys or the regional taxi, then it should actually be said to take into account that people are not allowed to remain seated on the mobility scooter when they enter the bus. Then you have at least created clarity,” Begeman concludes.

The rules of the VVR (Wheelchair Users Transport Regulation) stipulate that people in a mobility scooter must enter the taxi bus via the normal entrance and not via a lift. This is in contrast to wheelchair users, who are allowed to use the elevator.

The makers of Meldpunt emphasize that the current transport regulations, drawn up by the Social Mobility Fund, can be improved. Various interest groups and trade associations, including Elke(in), ANBO and KNV, were invited to the broadcast but did not participate. The editors of Meldpunt emphasize that the Social Mobility Fund (SFM) was also invited, but did not accept the invitation. The editor spoke to them for a while and they said: “Yes, maybe these transport rules need to be changed.”

solution

The response to our editors from Roelof Veenbaas, a retired researcher with an interest in safe transport of wheelchair users, adds an important perspective to the discussion about the transport of mobility scooter users. His commentary focuses on the current regulatory culture within the transport of people with disabilities, and he advocates innovation and practical solutions.

Veenbaas criticizes the current approach that places rules above common sense. He indicates that this approach often results in limitations arising from safety regulations, with costs being an obstructive factor. He emphasizes that the current discussion about the transport problems of mobility scooter users is not new and refers to innovative solutions that are already in use.

An example he cites is the use of passenger lifts by voluntary transport services in the The Hague region. These lifts, installed at the sliding door on the side of the vehicles, provide a practical solution for the transport of mobility scooter users. According to Veenbaas, such adjustments are effective in solving the problems now being discussed and show that there are workable alternatives. Veenbaas states that a thorough evaluation of incidents and the effectiveness of additional safety measures is essential. He emphasizes that rules alone are not enough and that a balance must be struck between safety and practicality.

rebuttal

We discovered that the subject is sensitive at the SFM last week following our announcement on our own website of the subject in the Meldpunt program. Director Henk van Gelderen of the Social Fund for Mobility responded critically to our response previous reporting about this subject. In an email, director Henk van Gelderen informed us: “I see that you have taken over the content of broadcaster Max one-on-one. Then you will quickly have an article. Disappointing that you do not respond adversarially.” 

Not that there was any need for the Social Fund for Mobility to respond to our reporting, we naturally offered Van Gelderen the opportunity to respond, which was not done. Anyway, a remarkable story that sometimes leads to... lawsuits can lead, where Diana Begeman of Taxi Steen in Ommen was able to provide some clarity for travelers within the taxi sector who have to use aids such as a mobility scooter.

De broadcast of Meldpunt was shown on Friday, December 1 at 19:50 PM on MAX on NPO 2.