- new laws will ensure disabled people receive help and can
travel with dignity and confidence
- disabled people protected against extra charges and rip-off
fares
- changes will benefit 13.7 million people
New laws will ensure the 13.7 million disabled people in England,
Scotland and Wales receive the assistance they need and will not
be charged over the odds when using taxis and private hire
vehicles (PHVs).
The new Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act
2022, which came into force on 28 June, is the most significant
change to taxi accessibility legislation since the Equality Act
was introduced 12 years ago.
The 2022 Act amends the Equality Act 2010 to place duties on taxi
drivers and PHV drivers and operators, so any disabled person has
specific rights and protections to be transported and receive
assistance when using a taxi or PHV without being charged extra.
As part of the amendments, taxi and PHV drivers could face fines
of up to £1,000 if they fail to provide reasonable mobility
assistance to disabled passengers taking a pre-booked vehicle.
This will also ensure that visually impaired passengers will be
assisted by drivers to help them identify or find the vehicle.
There will also be a duty for local authorities to publicly
identify wheelchair-accessible vehicles in their fleets.
The measures will apply to drivers in England, Scotland and Wales
and will help to provide consistency of experience for affected
passengers.
, Accessibility Minister, said:
It is fantastic that the updated legislation and guidance will
help ensure that all disabled people receive assistance when
using taxis and PHVs.
Disabled people account for around a fifth of the population and
our Inclusive Transport Strategy is making travel more accessible
for all.
The Act was a Private Members’ Bill introduced by QC MP. Another change will
mean that even drivers granted exemption from assistance duties
on account of medical needs must still accept the carriage of
disabled passengers and will not be able to charge them more than
others.
Disability affects 13.7 million people in Great Britain. It
includes physical and sensory conditions, as well as impairments
that are ‘non-visible’.
The amendments to the Equality Act 2010 have been developed by
the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of work in support
of its 2018 Inclusive Transport Strategy and cross-government
commitments on improving access to taxi and PHV services and will
benefit a wide range of disabled passengers, as well as their
friends and family.
In March 2022, DfT
announced a £2.5 million package to help disabled people travel
more confidently. This included funding towards mobility centres
across England and to enhance access to lifeline ferry services.
The updated legislation will build on the commitment we made and
will make travel more accessible for all.
