A Brisbane woman, Natasha Forrest, has voiced her frustration after being left stranded in Surfers Paradise when a pre-arranged wheelchair-accessible taxi failed to show up following a Shannon Noll concert on Friday night. Forrest had booked her taxi through 13CABS, a provider registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), but found herself alone outside the Burleigh Town Hotel around 11.30pm.
Describing her disbelief at the situation, Forrest reported that the company informed her the nearest available driver was located 30 kilometres away. When she questioned why the driver couldn’t be redirected to her location, she was told that drivers operate independently and manage their own jobs.
After waiting roughly an hour with no appropriate vehicle arriving, 13CABS sent a standard sedan, which did not meet her accessibility needs. Shocked by the inadequate service, Forrest looked at the app and realised this was not suitable for her. Ultimately, in a desperate bid to return home, she arranged for a stranger to drive her back to Brisbane, costing her $500, the last of her savings. She felt she had no choice but to pay or risk being left stranded.
In response to the incident, 13CABS has stated that they are currently investigating the matter and will be extending a sincere apology to Forrest. Moreover, they acknowledged the need to collaborate with the state government to ensure a more reliable service for individuals requiring accessible transport in the future.