Taxi Driver Online

Can anybody let me know the rules on wheelchair access.

I'v been told the changes in the disability discrimination act intend to make all wheelchair taxi have side enterance for the wheelchairs because rear enterance dangerous.

Another point is :-
I have had numerous complaints for partially disabled people because they find it impossible to get into such taxis as Vitos, Caravelles and Serenas due to the height. Does this consitute discrimination against them.

The Government has not yet decided to apply any rules? At present, it is licensing authorities that stipulate what is to be licensed as a Taxi? Any points regarding access should be raised with your own authority.

Regards

JD

I have done but the taxi driers have stated they cant afford to change to suitable taxis and the disabled people have the choice to phone privates.

and indeed they do. you can bet there are more wakling stick/crutches OAP's or partially disabled who cant get in to a MPV or WAV than there are wheel chair customers ten times over.

The present position is that councils decide on what to license as Taxis. Private hire vehicles can normally be any shape or design as long as they are not confused as being similar to the vehicles that are licensed as Taxis, either in colour or design?

Naturally, in authorities that have saloon vehicles licensed as Taxis then the design will be similar to that of saloon private hire vehicles but normally the colour will be different.

I don't know what problem you are trying to sort out, or if indeed you actually have a prblem to sort out?

What exactly is your grievence?

Regards

JD

My problem is this "my disabled mother and her sister approached a taxi rank as there was 5 or 6 caravelles lined up at the front of the rank and a saloon car at the back, she asked the saloon driver to take them home and informed him that she was using a taxi-card, the driver stated he could not take her as there was taxis in front of him in the rank and he does not take taxi-cards"
If this is not discrimination what is?
It's not her fault she could not get into the caravelles is it?

Well as we all know, a person is entitled to choose any cab on a taxi rank? I don't know what the situation is with Taxi cards but you have at least two scenarios. First let us assume the saloon Taxi driver does not take Taxi cards? Under those circumstances he may well be entitled to refuse the passengers. Second? Let's say the passengers offered to pay by cash? Under those circumstances he could not refuse, them unless there was any other good reason?

Regards

JD

I was trying to find out if there was an legislation at hand to let her know if she was being discriminated against (she thinks all taxis should have access for :-
1. Wheelchairs
2. Partially disabled people
3. Able bodied

I'm afraid at the moment it is down to each individual council. I suggest a letter to the council might bring about some acknowledgement of the plight faced by those passengers with specific travel needs but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Regards

JD

Some County Councils now insist on rear entry WAVs doing their account work. By all accounts there is an iffy video doing the rounds, from the Transport Safety folks, showing what would happen to the punter in a side loading WAV. And it's not meant to look too good.

Can't understand why the likes of LTI haven't mentioned it in their numerous adverts.

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IDFIMH

If I was in her position I would take note of the plate numbers, and then write a letter of complaint to the council.

It would be interesting to hear their views.

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IDFIMH

And you can prove this video exists?

Well it was on this site about 18 months ago.

One of the lads couldn't offer his services to either Surrey or Hampshire County Council. It might have even been both.

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IDFIMH

When I informed the council they just stated that there is no legislation being broke.

Then you have your answer. Sounds like the bloke wasn't set up to take taxicards. I fail to see how that is discrimination.

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