Taxi! Campaign
RADAR continues to work hard to push for regulations to make taxis fully accessible for disabled people. In a campaign that has been ongoing for over 10 years, we have had little sign from the Government that they will make this a priority.
Our contacts at the Department for Transport are aware of the growing support calling for regulations: over 100 MPs have signed the EDM that was tabled on behalf of RADAR which calls on the Department to implement regulations in line with the DDA 2005 rather than a voluntary code. Background
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 allowed Government specifications for accessibility to be implemented for trains, buses and taxis. Despite Government specifications for trains and buses, 12 years on the Government is still reluctant to produce a specification for accessible taxis.
Present situationThe Government has indicated that it would prefer to introduce a voluntary code of practice for local authorities rather than regulations. Local authorities are expecting guidance soon as the Department for Transport have said that from 2010 all new vehicles will expected to comply with regulations.
RADAR believes that a voluntary code would only serve to extend the current postcode lottery of accessible taxi provision. Voluntary codes are not enforceable, and so it is likely that those areas that already have a reasonable provision of accessible taxis will pay most attention to the code. Since 2003 there has been a de facto voluntary code (when the Government introduced its initial policy proposals) yet just 12% of licensing authorities have a mandatory accessible taxi policy in England and Wales to guarantee a minimum number of accessible taxis.
What RADAR wants:
- A commitment from the Department of Transport to produce regulations for taxi accessibility to ensure a national standard
- A minimum of 50% vehicle fleet accessibility
- A driver training scheme for taxi and private hire vehicle drivers
- Subsidised travel schemes for disabled people
Many of you have already contacted your MPs asking them to sign Early Day Motion 717 which calls for regulations on accessible taxis, if you haven’t then please do get in touch with your MP by letter or by email. The RADAR website contains a template: http://www.radar.org.uk/radarwebsite/tabid/72/default.aspx
The more signatures the EDM receives, the more powerful a tool it will be to persuade the Government that they must introduce regulations.