Taxis

Overview
Role of the working group
What we have done
What we are doing
Top Tips

Overview

Everyone should be able to get to, and use, taxis and minicabs (private hire vehicles), including booking services. For many people this is not currently possible due to barriers created by the design, management and operation of the vehicles or difficulties ordering or hailing services.

The Government has asked DPTAC to advise on why this is the case and recommend strategic actions to address problems facing disabled people when rail services. Much is already being done.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 aims to prevent the discrimination of disabled people and to ensure taxi services are accessible to disabled people. The Government is committed to developing accessibility regulations for taxis and will be consulting on the proposed standards in the future.

From 31 March 2001 all taxis have been required to carry, at no extra charge to their owners, people with guide, hearing and other assistance dogs.

Minicabs are not covered by the DDA but DPTAC has been invited work with the Disability Rights Commission to suggest improvements.

Role of the working group

The Taxi Working Group (TWG) was established in 1993.

Our main objective is to advise on improving access to taxi and minicab services for disabled people, taking into account complementary advice from other DPTAC Working Groups.

Our membership includes representatives from disability interests and those concerned with the regulation of taxi and minicab services. We also have observers from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and other Government agencies. In developing advice to Government, we consult operators of taxi and minicab services to ensure they support our advice.

Our role is to focus on the strategic issues. This enables DPTAC to be more effective in influencing the process and outcome in all areas rather than specific schemes. Our work helps to inform those seeking to improve access at a local level. Local people will be aware of how this guidance can be applied to local circumstances.

We advocate the promotion of an accessible transport system in the advice we give to Government.

An accessible transport system is one that recognises the need for every stage in the journey to be accessible to disabled people. It sets out to include as many people as possible. It does not attempt to meet every single need. Rather, by considering people's diversity, accessible transport systems try to break down unnecessary barriers and exclusion. In doing so it will often achieve superior solutions that benefit everyone.

What we have done

In the last twelve months we have;

• Revised the membership of the working group to focus on issues important to disabled people.
• Commented on the DTLR Guidance under Section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 on the Carriage of Guide, Hearing and Other Assistance Dogs in Taxis: Guidance to licensing authorities in England and Wales on the duties, medical exemptions and enforcement.

What we are doing

We are currently considering the following;

• how minicab services can be made more accessible;
• the cost of using taxis and minicabs;
• when the Government consults on Taxi Accessibility Regulations we will develop our advice.

We welcome your comments and views on the issues raised above and any priorities not considered. Click here to e-mail us ideas.

Top Tips

If you are a taxi operator;

• Ensure you can demonstrate qualifications and competencies in access issues. Training courses are available;
• Ensure you follow recommended guidelines on access;
• Ask disabled people what problems they experience using your services.

If you are a minicab operator;

• Ensure you can demonstrate qualifications and competencies in access issues. Training courses are available;
• Ensure you follow recommended guidelines on access;
• Ask disabled people what problems they experience using your services.

If you are a disabled person;

• Publicise operators who have provided good services;
• Plan ahead and book assistance if required.

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