A proposal to allow for taxis large enough to accommodate wheelchair users was yesterday described as just a first step for the disabled.

And activists called once again for public transportation to be made accessible to all.

Mr. Willard Fox, chairman of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association, said he was pleased to hear about the proposals during last week's Lower House debate.

"The larger taxis will make it easier,'' he said. "But there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.

"For instance we need subsidies because it does not make sense having larger and more accessible taxis at the rates they charge us.

"At the moment the rates are too high for senior citizens and handicapped persons, many of whom are on fixed incomes.'' Mr. Fox said the proposals for larger taxis should be discussed alongside the issue of subsidies because one did not make any sense without the other.

He said many people with disabilities had to visit the doctor on a weekly basis and taxi fares both ways were exorbitant.

"A trip for Summerhaven to Hamilton will cost $12, if you don't get caught up in traffic lights or an accident. By the time you are finished and he comes back for you that's another $12.

"I have the right to use public transportation,'' he added. "I've got that right by law but the trouble is I can't use it. Therefore Government needs to be assisting the BPHA with some kind of public transportation.'' Consequently, Mr. Fox said the BPHA would like to see a subsidy in place that would see Government sharing the fare with the physically challenged rider.

Ms Clare Hatcher, who has done some legal work on behalf of the BPHA, said that at the moment BPHA members have to depend on volunteer drivers which prevents people with disabilities from getting jobs or leading normal lives.

"We had suggested to Government that when they bring in new buses these should be accessible,'' she said. "That should be the norm. There is no reason why new buses cannot be made accessible.'' Additionally, Ms Hatcher said many models of accessible taxis could be imported. Local taxis could be converted and made accessible.

"It's important that accessible vehicles are going to be available,'' she continued. "But we are talking about people who are on low incomes or have no income.

"Accessible taxis have to be accessible in two ways. They have to be accessible physically and they have to be accessible economically.'' Bigger buses From Page 1 Meanwhile Transport Minister Wayne Furbert said he would meet with Health and Social Services Minister Harry Soares and Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Yvette Swan in the new year.

At that meeting he said they would work out a proposal which would address the issue of subsidies in cases where the physically challenged person was travelling by themselves.

"We have some buses right now which can cater to the physically challenged but right now they are on volunteer service,'' he explained.

"We may want to consider making one or two of the divers full time and they can go around and pick up the physically challenged people.''