Sir, - Derrick Hambleton (February 27th) took issue with my earlier letter about the cost of wheelchair-accessible taxis. I can assure him that my information, which I confirmed with Customs & Excise and the Carriage Office, is correct. He based his information on the cost of and importation duties on the FX4 London taxi, which I agree is expensive.
There are now quite a number of vehicles that currently comply with the Irish Standard - eg Volks Caravelle, Mercedes Vito - costing in the region of £20,000, which favourably compares with the outlay on an average family car. It is reassuring that car manufacturers have become very interested in this market and are prepared to remodel their vehicles. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr Mary Freehill
Grove Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6.