Maximising community life

Keeping connected with friends and passions is crucial for many people, but it becomes increasingly difficult for those who use wheelchairs.

That gap in the local transport market has allowed a sibling-run Blenheim business to thrive by providing that connection.

Since moving up from Christchurch in April to look after her father, Jennifer Bothwell has been working with her brother Chris, who has operated Maxis Wheelchair Taxis in Blenheim since 2011.

While driving for Marlborough Taxis, Chris recognised the need for wheelchair-accessible transport and decided to go it alone, buying two vans and installing wheelchair hoists.

Jennifer says the service is mainly for wheelchair users, but the vans’ flexibility means they can carry up to 10 passengers when time allows.

“All the seats fold up so you can take one or two wheelchairs and people, and then it folds down to take passengers, so it’s quite a large van,” she says.

“It’s also pretty much word of mouth since Chris decided he could serve the wheelchair community better by dedicating the business to people who couldn’t get into a normal taxi.

“Most of our clients use Total Mobility cards, which makes their journey a lot cheaper, and Chris still charges minimally.”

But Jennifer says the job is more than just transport – drivers become part of community and family life, often joining regular customers for lunches and social events.

“You sort of become part of the family, as some clients we take out three, four, even five times a week. It’s so personable because you’re getting someone in a wheelchair, hoisting them up, putting brakes on, putting straps around them and making them comfortable.

“Honestly, just the nature of the business and how it performs such an important role in Blenheim’s elderly and wheelchair community, I feel like Chris needs some credit for what he’s been doing over these years.

“It’s lovely to be part of something that gives purpose to both our clientele and to me.”