tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663680578112260744.post8078989036613526274..comments2024-03-13T08:18:08.922+10:30Comments on Catdownunder: There willbe no train servicecatdownunderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08189081688973141295noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663680578112260744.post-8771622764327807152017-12-27T01:57:40.118+10:302017-12-27T01:57:40.118+10:30I am glad you pointed these things out - issues wh...I am glad you pointed these things out - issues which have plagued Access Cabs ever since they began. it is obvious that politicians and bureaucrats don't use public transport, don't plan to use it and consequently don't appreciate the value of it.<br />Ironically, I made this point at a Disability Forum back in the day when Disability reform was back on the political agenda. After the forum, me and another wheelchair using friend were still waiting for the taxi we ordered which hadn't shown up after more than an hour and three phone calls. We were waiting outside the convention centre - a major tourist destination in the city - and the taxi excuse was that they were unable to find us. Meanwhile, the ministerial advisers had finished taking their notes and packed up the forum and were walking past on their way to find some food. Here we were, exemplifying the very thing we were explaining in the forum. They themselves thought is was ridiculous so I hope they added that to their notes.<br />As for the Red Cross drivers - I have nothing but praise for them. The Red Cross volunteer driving service designed to help people like me get to important medical appointments was a real life saver for me as many of my specialists happened to be on the other side of the city. The distance made taxis too expensive to afford, even with government-issued subsidy vouchers. I just wish decision makers would bother to take the time to listen to the public and visit them and truly learn about "how the other half live" and maybe they could develop some compassion and empathy for others instead of worrying about how to keep their own seats warm. <br />Virtual Quilter's observations are so accurate, sadly.<br />Thank you Cat for being outspoken about issues that matter and for taking action. I truly hope something will change for the better and you will get a better deal but I'm not holding my breath for any of us. Then the political classes can't understand why members of the public are becoming disengaged with the political system - why bother when those of us who do try to engage get ignored and treated with contempt?Jodiebodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377052537742885631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663680578112260744.post-7535822334214183882017-12-20T17:21:02.008+10:302017-12-20T17:21:02.008+10:30The problem could be solved with a bit of common s...The problem could be solved with a bit of common sense and a small amount of flexibility, but common sense and flexibility are in very short supply in all but the lowest level of government departments, and those people have no power or influence to get anything done.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663680578112260744.post-8767849235400543242017-12-20T16:31:14.107+10:302017-12-20T16:31:14.107+10:30It's like falling down the rabbit hole, isn...It's like falling down the rabbit hole, isn't it, Cat? The best of intentions often gets side-tracked by bureaucracy. And there aren't barely enough drivers. My Dad was a volunteer driver for the Red Cross, taking people to and from doctor's appointments. He volunteered one day a week. The Red Cross could have used him every day. <br />Big Sister CatMomkatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07293115156312151858noreply@blogger.com