News Release (22 November 2002):
Another paw forward on road to accessible travel
New legislation means disabled people with guide, hearing and other assistance dogs can no longer be refused journeys in minicabs or charged extra for their dog.
"Private Hire Vehicles (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc.) Act 2002" makes it an offence for operators and drivers of private hire vehicles to refuse to take a disabled persons because they are accompanied by a guide, hearing or assistance dog or to make an additional charge for doing so.
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) has welcomed the legislation for bringing into line the requirements for private hire services and taxis.
In welcoming the new requirements, Jane Wilmot OBE, DPTAC Chair said:
"Assistance dogs are essential to the independent mobility of many disabled people. Being refused carriage by drivers or operators of minicabs can leave people stranded and is no longer acceptable.
This legislation will bring private hire vehicles into line with all other forms of public transport, addressing an omission in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. It is another step forward in giving disabled people the same travel opportunities as everyone else."
DPTAC welcomed the Private Members Bill brought by Neil Gerrard and the Government support in ensuring the equalisation of requirements among taxi and private hire services across the country.
Research by MORI for DPTAC showed that private hire services are used disproportionally more by disabled people than the general population, providing services which enable door to door travel.
Notes to editors:
1. Private Hire Vehicles (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc.) Act 2002 received Royal Assent in November. Copies of the Act is available on the HMSO web site at www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/ukpga_20020037_en_1.
2. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) was set up under the Transport Act of 1985 to advise Government on the transport needs of all disabled people. It has a maximum of 20 members (of whom at least half must be disabled people), representing a wide range of transport interests. Members are appointed by Ministers and are unpaid, apart from the reimbursement of expenses.
3. MORI's research report is available on the DPTAC web site at www.dptac.gov.uk/research/apt/index.htm or from the Secretariat.
4. For further information on DPTAC, contact the Secretary, Tim Pope on 020 7944 8012, (textphone 020 7944 3277), fax 020 7944 6998 or email dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk.
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