What we are doing

Developing taxi accessibility requirements

The Government recognises the vital role taxis play in the transportation of disabled people, and is committed to bringing forward requirements for accessible taxis.

The Government recognises the vital role taxis play in the transportation of disabled people, and is committed to bringing forward requirements for accessible taxis.
In 2003, the Government stated that it intended to set standards for wheelchair accessible taxis and to introduce regulations that would apply to  mainly urban local authority areas (so-called 'Phase 1' authorities).  The regulation making powers in the DDA do not apply to private hire vehicles. 

Since then, however, the Department has received a number of representations making the case for a broader range of disabled people's needs to be met in any regulations, rather than restricting the requirements only to wheelchair users. We have been looking at how this could be achieved but it is a complex matter.  As a result, regulations have not been made.

Ministers remain keen to make progress on taxi accessibility and therefore intend to develop a consultation package for summer 2008 to seek views on the way forward.

In the meantime, accessible taxi policies remain a matter for individual local licensing authorities in line with previous guidance that has been issued by the Department.

Part 3 of the DDA

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 amended the DDA 1995 to enable the Government to lift the exemption in Part 3 of that Act for operators of transport vehicles. Regulations applying Part 3 to vehicles used to provide public transport services, including taxis and PHVs, hire services and breakdown services came into force on 4 December 2006.  Taxi drivers now have a duty to ensure disabled people are not discriminated against or treated less favourably. In order to meet these duties, licensing authorities are required to review any practices, policies and procedures that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for a disabled person to use their services.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (formerly the Disability Rights Rights Commission) has produced a Code of Practice to explain the Part 3 duties for the transport industry. The duties under Part 3 of the DDA demand new skills. GoSkills is the sector skills council for road passenger transport, and the Department has given funds to support training for the taxi and PHV industries.