- Rudolph Brown
Taxi-driver, Ian Pounall, assists a wheelchair-bound passenger into his cab in Kingston last Friday.
Glenda Anderson, Staff Reporter
IT'S BEEN on the roads for only three weeks but already it's making huge waves in the transport sector, and is a smash hit with customers.
A new, fully air-conditioned, automated comfort vehicle designed to assist persons with disabilities, the brainchild of Candy Cab taxi-driver, Ian Pounall, is now offering a new level of service to commuters.
Described as a "luxury vehicle", and a "godsend" for disabled persons, it's hard to believe that it is actually a regular taxi cab.
When The Sunday Gleaner visited on Tuesday the taxi was in between pickups, but Mr. Pounall offered a guided tour and demonstration.
His pleasant greeting and easy smile immediately set the tone for an interesting ride.
Once inside the cab, the passenger may expect royal treatment with the comfort of plush leather seat coverings, the gentle waft from the air-conditioning unit, and the opportunity to peruse a complimentary newspaper.
For customers who are wheelchair-bound, there is spacious accommodation for the chair at the back. Although the entire coach is equipped with non-skid floor mats, the customer may also request that the wheelchair be additionally secured with hooks already installed into the body of the vehicle for that purpose.
A compact safety chest carries an oxygen tank, fire extinguisher, first aid supplies and a water cooler.
For longer trips, passengers may request that the vehicle be stocked with food, drink and water supplies as an added service.
In addition, head-rest and foot-support cushions are also provided, should the need arise.
Ian Pounall started the service this month after what he describes as a "reality check" on the needs of the disabled community.
"About three months ago I had taken a wheelchair-bound gentleman to a convention of Jehovah's Witnesses held at the National Stadium and I was actually very surprised at the number of disabled persons who were there," he said.
"There were about 300 of them and after the meeting I didn't have 'hand' to carry them. I never realised that so many had the will to go out, and that's when I began thinking about how much of a hassle it must be for them to get around, because the truth is that when you are in a wheelchair people are only nice to you for the first few weeks."
His conviction forced him to sell his conventional Toyota Corolla motorcar with which he had operated a regular taxi service for able-bodied persons.
The move was a very expensive one as the total cost to reconfigure the Toyota Townace vehicle was well over $500,000. This was in addition to licensing and other fees.
"From living overseas for a while I knew that it was much easier for a disabled person to get around there. You'd see persons come to a function or be around and within minutes they were picked up, easily. Here they have more of a problem because we have short-changed them, the service is limited," he said.
After searching on the Internet for the perfect vehicle he took his idea to the local Transport Authority, and later to Auto Dimensions in Kingston who assisted him with meeting requirements for a Hackney Carriage licence.
The vehicle outfitted with an automatic ramp and lift for passengers to roll onto or out of the vehicle onto stairs, the roadway or curb wall, can accommodate up to 4,000 lbs. in weight.
"A disabled person needs his privacy and needs to be independent. For many of them going out means that they have to pull a family member from work or school, or else pay someone to go along with them. In addition they have to pay for the services of a taxi and anything else they may charge. Some need to be lifted, need extra leg room, or other accommodation. With this vehicle they have the freedom to travel at will, on their own in safety and comfort."
There is no extra charge for the service as disabled persons simply pay the standard taxi fare for the journey. Identification and licence issued by the Transport Authority, are proudly displayed as proof of full compliance for road and safety standards.
Still, the service is not limited to disabled persons as able-bodied passengers may also use is.
A retired Jamaica Defence Force sergeant, Mr. Pounall has 20 years of military training including what he calls "serious" paramedics training. He has received training in hospitality, with a diploma in Catering from the University of Technology, formerly CAST, and has spent close to two years working on a major cruise line. Although he is licensed to work in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine, he says he is available for charters across the island.
His curiosity satisfied in other ventures, he says his satisfaction is now in giving good service and filling a great need.
"I knew it was a good move and decided that even if it meant selling a very good car, it was something I really wanted to do. Every time I would carry passengers they would complement me on the vehicle and say this (service) is what they've wanted all along."
Word of the service has been spreading slowly but while it has not fully filtered down to the disabled community, it is an idea which is welcomed by Valerie Spence, senior officer with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities.
"Its a step in the right direction. In developed countries services like these do exist and are common in that there is transportation provided for the disabled."
Officials at the Transport Authority's licensing division confirmed Mr. Pounall's application, hailing it as "unusual and highly commendable".
