Taxis: Wheelchairs
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure local licensing authorities enforce non-discrimination provisions under the Equality Act 2010 where private hire and taxi operators charge additional clamping fees or surcharges to users of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Answered by Department for Transport
The Government is committed to ensuring that disabled people can access taxi and private hire vehicle services without discrimination. Drivers and operators who add fees or surcharges based on disability face prosecution and fines of up to £1,000.
Local licensing authorities are responsible for enforcing these provisions. Departmental best practice guidance makes clear that authorities should thoroughly investigate and prosecute offences where breaches are identified, and that where a complaint about discrimination is received that will not result in a conviction, licensing authorities should consider regulatory sanctions such as license suspension or revocation.
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