YP Comment: People with disabilities are still being taken for a ride

Union calls for taxi fare equality after disabled Leeds man quoted price ‘10-times higher than usual’

How dispiriting, therefore, that there are still some ignorant members of society – some might refer to these individuals as dinosaurs – who remain totally insensitive to the specific needs, and human rights, of wheelchair users as they go about their daily business.

It is illustrated by the plight of cerebral palsy sufferer Nathan Popple after the 18-year-old, from Leeds, was quoted £108 to travel just 5.6 miles in a private hire car.

In comparison, an able-bodied person would have been charged £10.

As taxi companies and private hire operators acknowledge the legitimacy of the teenager’s grievance, it’s important that such issues are investigated – and licences revoked if it is proven that disabled passengers have been discriminated against.

It’s a simple way of honouring the gold medal example being set by Team GB in Brazil.