A disability campaigner claims he has been made to wait in the rain for almost an hour because local private-hire drivers are reluctant to take passengers in wheelchairs.
Peter Hunter, who has cerebral palsy, says that although there are specially-adapted private-hire vehicles in use in Perth, many drivers dislike taking disabled fares because of the extra time and effort involved.
He said: “When I phone any of the major companies I am always told that there are no wheelchair-accessible vehicles available.
“There are times where I have to wait up to 50 minutes in the cold or wet, which no one should have to do.”
And the 30-year-old claimed that other drivers are putting the lives of themselves and passengers at risk by failing to properly secure wheelchairs in vehicles.
Chairs should be clamped to the floor of the vehicle and a seatbelt fitted.
Mr Hunter said: “There are some drivers who, at best, adhere to one of these points but at worst do neither.
“This not only endangers the disabled customer but also themselves, should they have the misfortune to be involved in an accident.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said: “It is worrying to hear that vehicles adapted specifically for the use of the disabled are not being put to use.
“Requiring increased effort on the part of the driver should be no reason not to serve disabled passengers and I would strongly recommend that taxis equipped with special functions must have drivers that are properly trained in how to use them.
“Disabled residents should have access to the very best services and, if that is not the case, Perth and Kinross Council must review the way in which permits are distributed.”
A spokeswoman for Capability Scotland said it was “crucial” that drivers had adequate training in dealing with wheelchair-bound passengers.
She said: “It is not acceptable for drivers not to pick people up because they can’t be bothered. Licensing authorities can give drivers exemptions if they have a condition which makes it difficult for them to assist disabled passengers.
“In our response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on taxi and private car licensing, Capability Scotland called for the development of a national medical exemption scheme for taxi drivers, which would require them to carry and display proof that they are unable to accept disabled passengers.
“While we know the majority of taxi drivers are willing to help disabled people, a better system for identifying drivers unable to assist disabled passengers would benefit disabled people and the taxi drivers themselves.”
A spokeswoman for the National Private Hire Association said private hire cars are not subject to the same laws as black cabs.
She said: “Under the Equality Act drivers of Hackney carriages only are not allowed to refuse a customer in a wheelchair, even if they are only taking them half a mile.”
Peter said, “The only way a driver can refuse is if they have a medical exemption but, I have to say, a lot of drivers think it is not worth taking a disabled person half a mile as it can take five minutes to strap them in.”
Perth and Kinross Council said it had not received any formal complaints relating to Perth private hire firms.