Posted on the 7th January 2026 in PHTM News
CHORLEY TAXI BOSS DEMANDS URGENT TRAINING FOR ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR HANDLING
A prominent taxi industry leader is calling for an immediate overhaul of safety protocols in Bolton following a "disturbing" incident that nearly resulted in a catastrophic head injury for a passenger.
Shaz Malik, chair of the Chorley Taxi Association (CTA) and owner of 4Sixes Taxis, issued the warning after an electric wheelchair tipped backwards on a ramp during loading in Chorley.
He credits the "quick action" of the driver for preventing a tragedy, but warns that current training standards are dangerously inadequate for modern equipment.
Mr. Malik highlighted a critical gap in driver preparation: while drivers are proficient with manual chairs, the sheer mass of electric models - which can weigh between 100kg and 200kg - presents a different level of risk.
“Drivers are trained to handle manual wheelchairs, but there is no specific training for electric wheelchairs... Without the right equipment, vehicles, and training, these situations are dangerous,” he said.
Though the incident occurred in Chorley, Mr. Malik insists the risk is universal. He is now urging Bolton Council and local trade leaders to review their requirements before an accident occurs on their streets.
He noted: “Ambulance and patient transport staff are trained never to try to physically stop a falling electric wheelchair, due to the extreme risk of injury to both the patient and the crew, prevention is the only safe strategy.”
As a board member of the National Private Hire Taxi Association, Malik views this as more than a local grievance. He argues that securing these chairs correctly in the right vehicles must become a non-negotiable standard.
Mr Malik said: “This is not just a Chorley issue; it’s a national safety issue. Bolton Council and the local trade must learn from what happened here.
“Representation and correct training are key, because in every case there’s your side, their side, and the real side.
“The real side is simple, drivers need proper training, and passengers need proper protection.”
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