"We were shocked": Family angry about expensive taxi ride for wheelchair user

Created: 08/17/2022, 20:04

By: Daniel Seeger

Angry about the high price for a taxi ride: from left Natascha Budnick, Heidi Wenisch and Caroline Budnick with their father Stefan Budnick from Fritzlar in front of the St. Elisabeth senior citizens' home.

© Daniel Seeger

A wheelchair user from Fritzlar pays a lot of money for two taxi rides through the city.

Too much of?

The taxi company can justify the price.

Fritzlar – "We were shocked when we found out how much the trips should cost," says Stefan Budnick.

His former neighbor Heidi Wenisch was supposed to pay 60 euros for a total distance of less than four kilometers – from the St. Elisabeth Seniorenstift to the house of Budnick and his family on Breslauer Straße in Fritzlar (Schwalm-Eder district) and back.

30 euros per trip, which made the Budnicks suspicious and they reported to the HNA.

The special feature: Heidi Wenisch is dependent on a wheelchair for mobility due to a severe disability.

The 64-year-old cannot cover the distance to Breslauer Strasse alone – not even with the help of the Budnick family, whose car is too small.

“She is our former neighbor.

We get along well and meet up often," says Natascha Budnick, who, like her husband, is annoyed by the high costs, as reported by hna.de.

Taxi: Regular price for wheelchair transport in Fritzlar (Schwalm-Eder-Kreis)

"We would like to invite Heidi more often, but if it's so expensive, we can only afford it on special occasions," says the 32-year-old.

In addition, the taxi was late on the outward journey.

But on the return trip everything worked out.

"We then took over the bill, but of course that doesn't work regularly," says Stefan Budnick.

For Heidi Wenisch, such costs are a major hurdle that further curtail her already restricted mobility.

Taxi entrepreneur Jens Marggraf assures that everything was done correctly here and also has an explanation for how the amount came about.

The reason for the increased tariff: "The vehicles that are designed for the transport of wheelchairs are considerably more expensive," explains Marggraf.

Health insurance companies would pay flat rates of similar amounts to taxi companies for such journeys.

Taxi entrepreneurs from Fritzlar (Schwalm-Eder-Kreis): "We have big problems occupying vehicles"

“We try to accommodate our customers as best we can,” the entrepreneur continues.

For wheelchair users who can lift themselves and whose wheelchair is collapsible, calculate the normal taxi fares set by the municipalities.

In Fritzlar, the basic fee is 3.80 euros and 2.20 euros for each kilometer driven (during the day).

The company explains the costs, including for sick trips, in advance.

Even if the costs may seem high to some customers, according to Marggraf, the taxi industry is under a lot of pressure.

In addition to the increased costs, a lack of staff is a particular problem.

"We have big problems manning our vehicles." Paying higher wages is difficult given the current situation.

In addition, there were always failures due to Corona.

Therefore, there may occasionally be longer waiting times.

"Because we have locations in several municipalities, we try to absorb everything as best we can - but I can't guarantee anything at the moment." He is available to taxi customers if they have any questions or complaints.

(Daniel Seeger)