Annual Report 1997

7. Report of the Taxi Working Group

Members
Jean Ashcroft - DPTAC
Kristine Beuret - De Montfort University
Vincent Christie - Local Government Association
Dennis Cloney - Scottish Taxi Federation
Dennis Conyon - National Taxicab Associations
Roger Davies - Consultant
Trevor Dobson - Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers
Douglas Holliday - National Association of Taxi and Private Hire Licensing and Enforcement Officers
David Hunter - Edinburgh City Council
Geof Kaley - Computer Cab
Valerie Lang - DPTAC
Campbell McKee - Mobility Products Association
Pam Moffat - Greater London Association of Disabled People
Ron Pearson - Transport and General Workers Union
Bryan Roland - National Private Hire Association
John Usher - Passenger Transport Executive Group

Observers
Ann Frye - DETR
John Martin - DOE (NI)
Sue Sharp - DETR
Edward Stait - DETR

The year started amid rumours that the Government proposed to extend the date by which all taxis in London would be required to be accessible. The Working Group therefore warmly welcomed the announcement by the new Under Secretary of State, Glenda Jackson MP, that the date would remain unchanged and that all taxis in London will be required to be accessible by the year 2000.

The Group has continued to explore the issue of insurance for taxi drivers using accessible vehicles. Correspondence with leading insurance companies has persuaded the working group that there are no problems which cannot be resolved if people shop around for their insurance.

It remains important for disabled people to be able to afford to use the growing number of accessible taxis which are now on the streets. Further consideration is being given to the issue of Taxicard schemes with a view to making recommendations concerning advice to local authorities. These will be considered by the main DPTAC committee, and subject to the committee's approval it is hoped that these recommendations will be sent to local authorities.

The major area of work during the year has been contributing towards the Government's consultation document on proposals for the regulations for accessible taxis under the Disability Discrimination Act. The Government published its proposals in August 1997. The Group prepared a detailed response to the proposals and it is hoped that they will be incorporated into the final regulations. The effect of the proposals would be to require Hackney cabs throughout the country to be accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. This will require such taxis to have facilities for ambulant disabled people as well as wheelchair users. It is also proposed that a range of vehicles should be available for use as taxis rather than just the London style taxis which are so familiar in some parts of the country. The year therefore ends on a positive note with the prospect of significant progress to be made in the near future.

Bert Massie
Chairman

Taxi Working Group - Work Programme 1998

1. Work with DETR to introduce taxi accessibility regulations under Part V of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

2. Consider the issue of accessibility in relation to private hire vehicles.

3. Work with local authorities both to promote the importance of disability awareness training for drivers and the role of concessions, such as taxicard schemes, in increasing the scope for disabled people to make maximum use of accessible taxis.

Terms of Reference for the Taxi Working Group
(including private hire vehicles)

1. The membership of the Group will be agreed with the Chairman of the Group and the Chairman of the DPTAC. Membership will be limited to no more than twenty members.

2. The membership of the Group will include representatives from disability interests, taxi operators, regulators and other appropriate interests.

3. The Group will normally meet at least four times a year.

4. The Chairman of the Group will generally be a full time member of the DPTAC and will make a report on the Group's work to each meeting of DPTAC.

5. The Group will:

   a) consider issues affecting elderly and disabled people travelling in taxis (Hackney) and private hire vehicles;

   b) consider requests from DETR and other Government Departments to DPTAC for guidance/advice on policy issues and make recommendations to DPTAC on those issues;

   c) undertake such work as they, in consultation with DPTAC, consider necessary to progress the interests of disabled people in relation to taxi travel;

   d) raise issues, through DPTAC, for consideration by the DETR;

   e) draw up guidance and codes of practice, as necessary, for clearance by DPTAC for publication as formal DPTAC advice;

   f) provide advice to DPTAC, on consultation papers from Government and other organisations; and

   g) provide advice to DPTAC in relation to its statutory role in respect of the taxi provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

6. All papers submitted to the Group will be confidential to its members and details discussed within the Group should not be discussed with third parties, without prior agreement of the Secretariat.

Published 3 June 1998

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