The co-ordinator of a vital York service for the disabled has joined one of its users in criticising some taxi drivers for refusing to drive members to its door.

But taxi drivers have hit back, saying they have no problems with carrying disabled passengers.

Deborah Rolland, co-ordinator of Shopmobility in York, which provides scooters and wheelchairs for the elderly and disabled, says some drivers refuse to take passengers to the second floor of the Piccadilly car park where it is based and some have arrived there in tears.

Deborah thinks some drivers could be put off because there is sometimes a queue outside the car park and they would have to wait there with other drivers.

She said: "It's OK to be dropped off at the ground-floor if you're able-bodied, but to have people arriving here in tears because a taxi won't bring them is not on.

"I don't think they realise how essential they are to somebody who has a disability."

Christine Schofield, of Easingwold, has a chronic progressive neurological disease, similar to MS, which makes her unsteady on her feet.

She recently rang Ace Taxis to take her from the Theatre Royal to Shopmobility.

She said: "I was told the governor said they didn't do Shopmobility.

"This is discrimination against disabled people and it stops me from going out."

Ray Whichello was the controller on duty at Ace Taxis the day Christine Schofield called. He said: "The lady phoned up and asked if she could have a cab straight away from Exhibition Square to Piccadilly. I told her we had no cars and it would be at least half an hour, but she seemed to be under the impression we didn't want to do the job.

"We carry loads of disabled people and their wheelchairs. One of my colleagues is registered disabled so we certainly do not have anything against disabled people."

Deborah Rolland said: "Several users of the scheme who have arrived at the station have found that taxis are refusing to bring them up to the second level of the car park. I'm not naming any firms but we've had it happen more than once and each time I've complained.

"A couple of firms have been very good but it's certainly not unknown for drivers to refuse or to drop them in the street outside."

Richard Hall, general manager of Station Taxis, which is the sole operator working from the station, said: "There is not a problem at the station.

"We have 15 wheelchair accessible vehicles and, if a disabled person needs a taxi we will pull one out for them and give them a priority service.

"We're doing our bit with disabled people at this station."

Updated: 10:26 Tuesday, February 06, 2001