Its take nearly two years, but one man’s campaign for wheelchair accessible taxi in Midland has become a reality.
“It feels good to be in a vehicle and still be in my wheelchair,” said Jeffery Fillingham. ”It’s easier for me to get around, to go to the movies, to see my friends,” he said.
Fillingham has cerebral palsy and lobbied local government, taxis companies and started a fundraising campaign through social media. He raised more than $7,000 to have a taxi retrofitted.
Central Taxi owner Tony De Guglielmo bought a Dodge Caravan and had it retrofitted to be wheel chair accessible. The new taxi has been on the road for two weeks now.
“We have a number of clients we were servicing without this vehicle and it was very challenging getting them in and out of the wheel chair,” he said.
De Guglielmo was impressed by Fillingham’s tenacity and decided to support his campaign.
“Jeff definitely showed us what the need was in town,” he said.
“Wheelchair accessibility is not just for myself, but for other who need the taxi service,” said Fillingham.
The accessible taxi will only be used for people who need it.
Central Taxi plans on hiring up to five drivers, who will be trained to use the vehicle and it will be on the road 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the end of the month.
