As a professional driver you should always be there to give assistance when it is needed, especially when your passenger special needs.
Whatever vehicle you drive be ready to give assistance when an elderly passenger, or one who has limited mobility, is getting into or out of your vehicle.
Some vehicles, especially black cabs, are fitted with special equipment to allow easy access for those who may otherwise find it difficult. If you have this equipment, make full use of it to improve your passengers comfort.
Special fittings can include
- An intermediate stop
- A swivel seat
- A ramp and wheel chair fittings.
Intermediate stop - It can be difficult for people with limited mobility to get into or out of some vehicles, including back cabs.
This can be because of the position of the seats and the greater distance between the floor of the vehicle and the street or pavement.
Asses your passengers needs, and if you think it might help, offer to provide the additional step for them as they get into or out of the taxi. Use the following procedure:
- Remove steps from the stowage compartment
- Ensure the door is fully open and secured
- Fit the step and ensure it is securely fixed before your passenger steps onto it
- Once they are safely in, close the door and stow the step.
Swivel seat - A person with limited mobility might also find the swivel seat helpful. Often this will need to be used in conjunction with the intermediate step. As they get into your vehicle, you should
- Ensure the door is fully opened and secured
- Pull down the seat and swing it outwards until it is locked
- Help the person onto the seat if necessary
- Swivel the seat back into the travelling position until it is locked
- Offer to help secure the seat belt before closing the door.
Reverse the procedure once the journey is completed.
Ramp And wheelchair fittings - If you have the facility to carry wheelchairs you must ensure that you are able to correctly load and secure the wheelchair so the passenger can be transported safely and then reverse the process at the end of the journey.
To load the wheelchair user you should
- Prepare for your passenger. Fit the wheelchair restraint and make space available for the wheelchair. Ensure the door is fully opened and secured. Pull out the ramp and add an extension if necessary
- push the wheelchair user into the vehicle and stow the ramp, if you need to let go of the wheelchair to stow of the ramp,make sure you apply the wheelchair brakes
- position the wheel so that it can be secured using the equipment provided by the vehicle manufacturer
- ensure that all straps and belts which secure the wheelchair and its user are fastened according to the manufacturer's instructions
- close the door
To unload the wheelchair at the end of the journey, you should
- open the door fully and secure it
- release the restraining straps and belts
- Pull out the ramp and fit the extension if it is needed. If you need to move the wheelchair to do this, make sure you apply brakes before letting go of the wheelchair
- Wheel the wheelchair. Walk backwards for the safety of your passenger and so that you can retain full control
- Remove the ramp and stow any equipment in the appropriate place
- Close the door.
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