Victoria
Wheelchair user refused rideshare and taxi services in Canberra
A wheelchair user has spoken out after being refused service by both taxi and Uber drivers during her first week in Canberra.
A wheelchair user has spoken out about experiencing discrimination in the national capital, reporting that she was refused service by both a taxi and an Uber driver.
Rosie Putland had recently relocated to Canberra to begin a new job, according to reporting by the wire services. However, her first week in the city was marred by the transport refusals, which she said left her feeling discriminated against because of her disability.
Ms Putland reported that the incidents occurred as she attempted to navigate the city during her initial days in her new role. She stated that drivers from both a traditional taxi service and the rideshare platform Uber refused to transport her because she uses a wheelchair.
The transport sector in Australia is subject to strict anti-discrimination laws, which require service providers to make reasonable adjustments and prohibit the outright refusal of service to passengers with disabilities. Despite these legal frameworks, advocates for people with disabilities have long raised concerns about the consistency of compliance among rideshare and taxi operators.
It is not yet confirmed whether Ms Putland has lodged formal complaints with the relevant transport regulators or human rights commissions. Neither the specific taxi company involved nor Uber have publicly responded to the individual allegations, and it remains unclear if any disciplinary action has been initiated against the drivers.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by Australians with mobility equipment when attempting to access point-to-point transport services.
Advocates continue to call for stronger penalties and better training for drivers to ensure equal access to public and private transport systems.
The ACT Government is expected to face renewed scrutiny over the enforcement of accessibility standards in Canberra's commercial passenger vehicle sector.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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