Editorial: We'll keep eye on mobility taxi issue

Since we ran the story of the Rotorua woman who had to ride her mobility scooter home from hospital in the cold and dark, we've had responses from others who have found themselves or their relatives in similar situations.

When life's already thrown such a challenge at you that your ability to get around is impaired, be it by wheelchair, mobility scooter or other, it's almost a cruel joke to be left at the mercy of a seemingly inconsistent system of public transport, not knowing whether you'll be able to get home.

Our editorial on Thursday already addressed the plight of grandmother Gillian Bryant who, on being discharged from hospital on Tuesday night, found there were no mobility taxis available to take her and her mobility scooter home.

She felt her only option was to make the long journey back to her Fordlands home on her scooter.

Rotorua Taxis told us there were always two mobility-capable vehicles on call after hours and that there should have been a vehicle for Mrs Bryant.

It may have been a hiccup, but at least two other people have been caught out.

In both instances, the affected parties said they were told there were no mobility cabs on duty.

One woman who had been taken to hospital by ambulance could not get home when she was released at 3am because no cabs were available.

How helpless would you feel?

In the end, the woman had to be taken home on a stretcher by a sympathetic ambulance driver.

Another couple who had booked a mobility taxi found out when they needed it there were none available.

These things shouldn't happen.

Hopefully with the issue highlighted in this newspaper, the powers-that-be will make sure the service they've agreed to provide is available to those who need it.

We'll be keeping an eye on their progress.