The Commission for Taxi Regulation aims to achieve a first-class taxi, hackney and limousine service for all. Transport is essential for many people with disabilities, enabling them to participate in daily living.
Door-to-door transport, as provided by taxis and hackneys is often their preferred and, in some cases, their only option. Regrettably, the Commission for Taxi Regulation’s research and consultation process has indicated that accessibility, availability and affordability are key issues that can negatively impact on people wishing to use taxi, hackney and limousine services. The research demonstrated that, as a result of this, usage of SPSVs among people with disabilities remains lower than that among the general population. This is regrettable and requires change. More detail in relation to accessibility and SPSVs is set out in previous publications of the Commission for Taxi Regulation as follows: Section 9 in the National Review of Services (pdf download), Section 5 in the National Review of Vehicle Standards (pdf download) and Section 1.7 in the Roadmap (pdf download) document.
The Commission's fourth public consultation document, Vehicle Standards (pdf download), includes emphasis on accessible features within taxis and hackneys in addition to putting forward suggested future specifications for wheelchair accessible taxis and proposing the new SPSV class of wheelchair accessible hackney, see Section 5 of the Vehicle Standards document.
The publication of the National Vehicle Standards document (pdf download) in November 2007 outlines the revised future vehicle specifications for wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys.
There is clearly a need for SPSV licence holders to be made fully aware that a licence that permits the carrying of passengers for payment brings with it certain responsibilities and puts that vehicle beyond the preserve of a private car provided solely for the owner's enjoyment and benefit.
While acknowledging the problems and costs faced by service providers in making their vehicles more accessible, the Commission for Taxi Regulation remains determined to ensure that all people have access to a SPSV service and aims to improve accessibility through a number of measures, including;
- Improved standards and features in all vehicles;
- Improved standards for wheelchair/fully accessible taxis;
- A new standard of wheelchair/fully accessible hackney;
- Registration of dispatch operators for greater accountability;
- Improved and more accessible booking procedures;
- Improved driver awareness and training;
- Improved provision of information regarding accessible services;
- Maintaining and enhancing existing licence related incentives and the promotion of increased incentives,
- The preparation of new design guidelines for taxi ranks incorporating best practice in accessibility.