Taxi Driver Online

Lack of disabled taxis in Angus will prompt motion to seek government funding to reverse ‘appalling’ situation

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/lo ... situation/

Ministers will be asked to unlock funds to reverse the “appalling” lack of accessible taxis in Angus.

The number of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the region has dropped to just seven.

An Angus councillor wants local authority officials to ask the UK and Scottish governments for funds to help taxi drivers buy adapted cars.

People with accessibility needs in Angus are facing a “postcode lottery” as there are no accessible vehicles in Monifieth and Sidlaw and only one serving Montrose and Brechin and a single car for all of Arbroath and Carnoustie.

There are five in Forfar and Kirriemuir.

Arbroath East and Lunan Independent councillor Lois Speed will ask the local authority’s chief executive to write to the Scottish and UK governments to help change disabled people’s lives for the better.

She will bring a motion to full council to request Margo Williamson highlight to ministers the inequalities faced by many Angus residents and seek additional funding “to ensure that taxi operators are financially supported or incentivised to purchase accessible vehicles that will enable a fully inclusive service for all”.

Ms Speed spoke to councillors at Thursday’s meeting of the civic licensing committee in Forfar.

She said she understands the financial challenges that taxi operators face but said things must change.

“Lack of accessible vehicles is an unmet need in Angus and I believe it would be totally unacceptable not to robustly address this,” she said.

“It’s extremely concerning that Angus has gone from 13 to seven accessible vehicles covering the whole of Angus in the last year.

“We must recognise that these number will be even lower at times as not all vehicles will be on the road or available at the same time

“It’s alarming that there is only one accessible vehicle covering several localities and this at times may be reduced to zero and for fairly lengthy periods when this vehicle is engaged.”

She said barriers to travel and transport often results in loneliness and social isolation for disabled people which in turn “impacts on health and wellbeing outcomes and same life chances and opportunities as others”.

The civic licensing committee has now agreed to investigate the extent of the unmet need for wheelchair vehicles and to recommend measures to address it and the likely costs involved.

Ms Speed added: “I continue to receive regular correspondence from individuals and groups, including care homes, who report the detrimental impact and issues that they are experiencing by not being able to take part in everyday activities, essential health and social care appointments, education, employment and sport or leisure opportunities, as well as unplanned events including seeking medical attention.”

There was widespread support for Ms Speed’s plan to take the matter to full council.

Quite a drop over one year.

And makes a change to see them talk about funding rather than ordering new plates (say) to run WAVs, but possibly just wishful thinking as far as extra cash is concerned

Make the operators (firms not proprietors) have 10-20% of their fleet wheelchair accessible.

Works well down here.

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IDFIMH

Well it would have to be more than 10%, because I suspect the vast majority of firms in Angus have less than 10 cars, so 10% each would be less than one WAV

In fact if someone said that there are *zero* firms in Angus with more than 10 cars then I wouldn't be surprised, but I'd guess 10-20 cars would be as big as they get.

But all these very small firms perhaps demonstrate why mandating a quota per firm wouldn't be as easy as it would be with big city firms of hundreds of cars

don't suppose it has occurred to them that the reason for the drop might be the difficulty of finding work for them

My experience was that the majority of punters disliked them and that wheelchair work tends to only be sporadic as most wheelchair users either have their own or use volunteer vehicles which are cheaper

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Clearly there isn't bundles of WAV work, but I think a council has a duty, albeit a moral not legal duty, to ensure there is sufficient WAVs available should someone need one.

I also think the trade has a similar duty, but that's easier said than implemented. Maybe councils that don't license the cheaper WAVs should, and maybe councils that restrict HCs and license saloons shouldn't, and maybe all councils that allow saloon HCs should offer WAV HCs reduced fees.

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IDFIMH

From my admittedly limited experience I'd say WAV work is more big city stuff rather than in the small towns of Angus.

When I worked in Dundee there were effectively zero WAVs, but still quite a few wheelchair users, particularly daytime in the city centre. Probably had a wheelchair in the boot every couple of weeks or so.

In the much smaller town I work in now I can barely recall the last time I had a chair in the boot - only one I can remember was quite a few years ago, and that was out at the station. I remember thinking then that that was the first one I'd had for years, and can't really recall seeing many other saloons getting jobs.

There are a smattering of WAVs around, but always pre-booked as far as I know, but it's also years since I've seen a WAV loading up anywhere, except once or twice at the station.

Funny thing, though, I was thinking about saying this last night, and lo and behold, a few hours later and a girl arrived at our night rank in a wheelchair, at 1.30am. Had obviously been on a night out with some friends, and one of the guys just lifted her into the cab, and the chair went into the boot, so not the most difficult wheelchair job.

But all that's not to say that there aren't any people in wheelchairs locally who use cabs, but seems to be almost wholly pre-booked rather than public hire.

Which in turn is possibly why there isn't the same impetus for WAV HCs in smaller towns/more rural areas that there is in the big cities. And, of course, there will always be people who want a WAV but can't get one, even in more rural areas, as this article demonstrates.

But none of the Angus towns will be much bigger than the one I work in, and most are a bit smaller, so I suspect demand for WAVs at the ranks is pretty much non-existent.

Disabled people ‘left trapped in their homes’ due to lack of accessible taxis in Angus

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/lo ... -in-angus/

Disabled people have told how they are being left trapped in their homes due to a lack of accessible taxis in Angus.

The number of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the region has dropped to just seven and ministers will be asked to unlock funds to reverse the situation.

Mary Cathro, 69, and Isabel Meikle, 56, both from Arbroath, said they often have to wait “several days” to get out of the house as a result of the “postcode lottery”.

There are no accessible vehicles in Monifieth and Sidlaw and only one serving Montrose and Brechin and a single car for all of Arbroath and Carnoustie.

There are five in Forfar and Kirriemuir.

“A greater fleet of accessible taxis is needed in Angus so that wheelchair users like myself are able to get a taxi 24/7 just like everybody else who relies on this type of service,” said Mrs Cathro.

“The sole operator is very helpful and does all he can, however he can’t do it all himself.

“I sometimes have to wait several days before I can get to where I need to go. This impacts on hospital appointments, shopping trips and visits to friends and family.”

She said disabled people in a similar position in Angus are now pinning their hopes on funding being given to put more accessible taxis on the streets.

Wheelchair-bound Isabel said: “I would like to see more accessible taxis as it’s not fair on me or anyone else.

“It’s not easy to get to the places I want to go at the times that suit me.”

Residents have contacted Arbroath East and Lunan Independent councillor Lois Speed to report the “detrimental impact and issues that they are experiencing”.

Ms Speed will bring a motion to full council in December and request the local authority’s chief executive Margo Williamson ask the UK and Scottish Governments for funds to help taxi drivers buy adapted cars.

“Mary and Isabel’s experiences and the experiences of others lay bare the real problems that people in Angus are facing due to the lack of accessible taxis,” said Ms Speed.

“It’s something we have to change because the numbers are currently going in the wrong direction.

“If we can do that by applying for funding then it’s certainly something worth investigating.

“I have the upmost respect for the taxi trade in Angus who are a vital part of our economy and often work unsociable hours.

“I have witnessed on many occasions drivers going above and beyond to help customers and they know and support our communities well.

“But people with physical disabilities should not have to face multiple barriers especially when it comes to travel and transport.”

Cost implication blamed as the real barrier to lack of wheelchair taxis in Angus

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/lo ... -in-angus/

The huge gulf in cost between saloon cars and accessible vehicles is being blamed by the trade for the lack of wheelchair taxis in Angus.

It comes after disabled people told how they are being left trapped in their homes after the number of wheelchair taxis in the region dropped to just seven.

There are no accessible vehicles in Monifieth and Sidlaw and only one serving Montrose and Brechin and a single car for all of Arbroath and Carnoustie.

There are five in Forfar and Kirriemuir.

A second-hand saloon car could cost as little as £1,000 to run as a taxi, while wheelchair accessible vehicles currently retail in the region of £20,000 to £30,000.

Both will attract the same income but the latter has an initial outlay which is too costly for many operators.

Angus Council has been warned any compulsory action to require all taxis to be wheelchair accessible could have significant cost implications to the trade and may need to be the subject of lengthy transitional arrangements, particularly in Angus, which has a significant number of drivers with one vehicle.

UK and Scottish ministers will be asked to unlock funds to reverse the situation when Arbroath East and Lunan Independent councillor Lois Speed brings a motion to full council in December.

Barry Ward of Coastal Cabs in Montrose has two saloon cars but said his long-term aim is to buy two more which are wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Mr Ward said he would welcome extra funding to purchase accessible vehicles but suggested one way to plug the gap would be for Angus Council to buy them and lease them back to taxi operators.

He said he had looked at purchasing a wheelchair accessible vehicle before starting the firm.

He said he was put off by the difference in cost and whether the demand would outweigh the supply.

Mr Ward said: “We have been receiving calls from disabled customers in the past year and we now want to address the shortage.

“Ideally I would like to add two wheelchair accessible taxis to the fleet and we would welcome additional funding to help with the cost.

“One way of addressing the shortage in Angus could be for the council to buy them and lease them to the operators with monthly payments and perhaps the option to eventually own the car.”

Neighbouring Dundee operates a mixed fleet of saloon cars and wheelchair accessible vehicles.

There is no significant unmet demand for taxis but those obtaining licences after April 2005 are restricted to using European Whole Volume Type Approval vehicles.

They tend to cost in the region of £20,000 to £30,000 and the most common example of this type is the “purpose built London taxi.”

In Aberdeen a controversial proposal to make all taxis wheelchair accessible was ditched by council chiefs until at least 2022.

A legal ruling dating back to 1994 had previously committed the local authority to implementing the policy by 2017.

Ludicrous comparison. Might just as well claim that you can pick up a WAV for a couple of grand, but to plate a Tesla saloon could cost £60k.

No one doubts WAVs tend to be more expensive, but credible comparisons, please


Plenty private sector providers offer this kind of thing. Suspect just wants easy credit, low finance costs, and a subsidy.


Not really many of the latter in Dundee. There were quite a few TXs around at one time, when anyone could get a WAV HC plate and a local garage had a dealership franchise, but they all disappeared after a few years. Maybe a handful of TXs around, but can't recall seeing one for a year or two at least.

Good time to resurrect this thread, because it demonstrates how long this issue has been up in the air.

But, I mean, six years and a consultant's report to state the obvious, by the looks of it. To anyone with even a basic understanding of how these things work, this is all eminently predictable


Only 9 wheelchair-accessible taxis operating across Angus

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/53 ... xis-study/

Some Angus towns have no wheelchair accessible vehicles and the area is poorly served in comparison to neighbouring authorities.

Shock figures have revealed problems Angus wheelchair users face getting a taxi.

But it has taken more than five years for a consultants’ report to reveal just how far the area lags behind neighbouring authorities and the rest of Scotland.

Data suggests there are fewer than 10 wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) across Angus.

In some towns there are none at all.

It equates to just 7% of the district’s taxis – well below the Scottish Government target of 20%.

And it is a fraction of the 40% capability of Dundee’s entire fleet.

But Angus operators say the high cost of vehicles means the situation is unlikely to improve.

Moves to look at wheelchair taxi provision in Angus began back in 2019.

In 2020, the council commissioned specialist consultants to examine what existed locally.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic and council staff shortages meant the study could not be completed.

Data will finally be presented to councillors later this month.

What did the Angus wheelchair taxi study reveal?

Demographic estimates suggest there are 2,000 to 3,500 wheelchair users in Angus, though not all require taxis.

The council paper says there are only nine WAVs across the entire area. Arbroath and Montrose were reported as having none.

And of the 56 people who responded to the consultants’ study, 89% believed WAV availability was poor.

Eight out of ten reported frequent difficulty booking one.

Consultation with the taxi trade revealed low interest in operating WAVs due to high costs and perceived low demand.

So while many acknowledged the area was poorly served, they saw little scope for major change.

How does Angus compare to other areas for wheelchair accessible taxis?

The TAS Partnership consultants’ report was delivered to the council in July.

It showed 85 taxis and 55 private hire cars in Angus.

There are four WAV taxis and five WAV private hire cars. It equates to just 6.4% of all cabs.

In contrast, the percentages for neighbouring council areas are:

• Perth and Kinross 19.5% (65 WAVs)
• Stirling 8.4% (24 WAVs)
• Fife 8.2% (66 WAVs)

And in Dundee the TAS data suggests 197 vehicles in its total fleet of 497 taxis are wheelchair accessible – more than 40%.

What is the next stage in plans to improve Angus taxi provision?

Consultants say an improvement to Angus WAV provision would need “national-level financial intervention”.

They said the Angus taxi trade simply does not have the economic scale to achieve accessibility targets without support.

On Thursday, civic licensing committee councillors will consider the taxi report.

It recommends referring the matter to a working group to come up with an action plan by early 2026.

Are you affected by the lack of wheelchair accessible taxis in Angus, or an operator facing the challenge of providing such a vehicle? Let us know in the comments section below.

But, despite the article stating the obvious, a fundamental point to all of this isn't mentioned - the 40% 'capability' in Dundee is entirely forced, and not voluntary (just like the claim that Dundee leading the way with EVs...)

So to that extent Angus could have 100% WAV 'capability' if it wanted. Only problem is there would be a lot fewer cars in total (and probably a huge shift to PH as well, since I doubt there's a huge amount of public hire work in those smallish Angus towns anyway )

I'm delighted they came to that conclusion, as it quite rightly moves the onus away from the one-man bands that simply cannot justify the huge costs associated with buying new WAVs. Keen watchers will note I've changed my tune in the last 6 years.

No rush, it's only been on the agenda for 6 years so far.

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IDFIMH

A bit more on this

So after the original 2019 article at the top of the thread, then the consultant's report last year they've now allocated some funds. Problem seems to be how to allocate them precisely

Of course, these things aren't easy. But, I mean, maybe the problem is the slow motion wheels of democracy and bureaucracy, as opposed to 'the wheels being set in motion', as the article puts it


Could reduced fees and cash sweeteners help increase Angus disabled taxi fleet?

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/54 ... tion-plan/

A survey of local taxi provision revealed the low number of wheelchair accessible vehicles operating across Angus.

Finance for new vehicles and lower fees could be offered to Angus taxi operators in a drive to improve the area’s disabled vehicle fleet.

In 2025, a survey revealed there were only nine wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) operating across the whole of Angus.

Some towns have no disabled taxi provision at all. WAVs make up less than 10% of the total local fleet.

It is in sharp contrast to neighbouring Dundee, where 40% of taxis can carry wheelchair passengers.

The wheels have now been set in motion for a range of measures aimed at improving Angus provision.

It comes after one councillor said the issue was a “real struggle” for wheelchair users.

How might Angus wheelchair taxi numbers be improved?

Proposals include a direct payment to operators to purchase new WAVs.

A dedicated £50,000 wheelchair accessible taxi grant fund was set up as part of the council’s 2026/27 budget.

The council said: “Grants would be best tailored to bridge the cost difference between a new vehicle and an accessible equivalent.

“Such grants could be made available to all operators or be limited to those with larger fleets (five vehicle minimum).”

The council would also have to consider how the grants would be capped.

It could be at £5,000 per vehicle, per operator, or a flat percentage of a WAV cost.

Another incentive could be to slash the licensing cost for WAVs to around half the current £477 fee.

Officials say it would send the “right message” to the trade.

However, they admit it’s unlikely to be the catalyst for increased WAV numbers.

Lack of finance for new wheelchair accessible taxis

Civic licensing committee members have asked officials to bring forward proposals to improve WAV provision after the council’s summer recess.

Brechin councillor Jill Scott said: “It’s a real struggle for people in wheelchairs to access taxis for appointments and so on, so I welcome this.”

However, Arbroath member Brenda Durno warned that operators face a financial challenge.

She said disabled taxi provision was also discussed at the latest meeting of Tayside transport partnership Tactran.

“I asked the question about other funds or grants,” said Cllr Durno.

“We have the £50,000 the council has put aside for this, but as far as Tactran is concerned there isn’t any other funding at the moment.”

For a split second I read that as Cllr Dunno

Which would, of course, be very appropriate