To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of laws imposing fines on taxi and private hire vehicle drivers who refuse to accept wheelchair users.
Answered on
4 June 2018
It is vital that taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) services are accessible to passengers wishing to use them, which is why, in April 2017, we commenced the outstanding provisions of S165 and 167 of the Equality Act 2010, requiring drivers of designated vehicles to provide wheelchair users with appropriate assistance and refrain from charging them extra.
The law applies to drivers only where their vehicle has been designated as wheelchair accessible by the local licensing authority. We are encouraged that around a third of authorities have or are planning to designate vehicles, but believe that every authority should take this important step to protect wheelchair users travelling in their area.
We have provided authorities with guidance to support their implementation of the new requirements, and have reminded them in writing of their role in eliminating discrimination against disabled taxi and PHV passengers. We will continue to remind authorities of their responsibilities so that wheelchair users and other disabled people can travel, free from the fear of discrimination.