November 1, 2011
By Arielle Levin Becker
For the full story:
http://ctmirror.org/story/14373/dot-denies-permits-companies-seeking-wheelchair-accessible-cabs
The state Department of Transportation has denied the requests of two taxi companies for permits to add 70 wheelchair-accessible cabs to each of their fleets, ruling that the companies had not demonstrated the need for new permits and could instead replace existing vehicles with accessible ones.
The proposals by Metro Taxi of West Haven and The Yellow Cab Company of Bloomfield had drawn strong support from people with disabilities, who said there are few, if any, wheelchair-accessible options for on-demand transportation in the state. One man who uses a wheelchair spoke of having to scramble to find a ride to see his dying mother in the hospital on short notice, ultimately having to call a medical transport service.
