Taxi Travel overview and keeping safe whilst travelling
Many taxi companies now offer wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis are usually black cabs, wheelchair-adapted vehicles, people carriers, minibuses or converted small vans. They may have a ramp or a passenger lift to assist the wheelchair user with getting into the vehicle, which is far easier than transferring from a wheelchair to a car seat and dismantling the wheelchair for the journey.
As wheelchairs are carefully designed to support a disabled person, wheelchair-accessible taxis allow disabled people to stay in the position that is best for their body and posture.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis must also be equipped to secure the wheelchair when the cab is in motion. Seat belts or lap belts should be available to keep the wheelchair user steady.
Wheelchair accessible taxis are also adding different forms of lighting to help the visually impaired.
All the equipment in a wheelchair taxi should be regularly tested by the driver to ensure it remains in good repair.
Accessible Taxi companies
These vehicles generally look like black style cabs, and all have an illuminated TAXI sign on the roof. Taxis can be hailed in the street, or they can be hired at taxi ranks. All hackney carriages are wheelchair accessible vehicles, although drivers may not be able to carry all types of wheelchairs. Drivers will perform a risk assessment for less standard wheelchairs to establish if they are able to transport them safely.
Manchester Taxi Service – 0161 270 8701
Wheelchair accessible black cabs
https://www.manchestertaxiservice.co.uk/wheelchair-accessible-black-cab
Saltax Taxis – 0161 737 2222
All taxis are wheelchair friendly
Salford and Manchester Taxis 24/7 (saltaxtaxis.co.uk)
Taxi Transfers – 0161 300 8299
Black cabs available to book via the telephone or flag down at taxi ranks. (Salford)
All vehicles are wheelchair accessible
Airport Transfers in Salford | Taxis-Transfers (taxistransfers.co.uk)
Trafford Park Taxis – 0161 493 5000
Some black cabs. Cover Salford, Manchester and Trafford
Trafford Park Taxis 01614935000 – Home (weebly.com)
First Taxis – 0161 930 8888
Street Cars – 0161 228 7878
Standard vehicles
Taxi Manchester | Street Cars Manchester
Radio Cars – 0161 236 8033
Standard vehicles
About us – Radio Cars Manchester: Radio Cars Manchester
There are plenty of other companies **** need wording for hidden disabilities** *
Mainline Private Hire – 0161 777 7777
Swan Minicabs – 0161 789 5555
Lynch – 0161 661 7777
Mini Cabs 0161 736 6000
Planning a journey
When booking a taxi from a firm who aren’t a wheelchair specialist, ensure you mention at time of booking that you will need an accessible car.
Operator obligations
The law states that to comply with The Equalities Act 2010 licensed drivers are under a legal duty to carry wheelchair users, guide, hearing, and other prescribed assistance dogs in their vehicles without additional charge. The law expects drivers:
- to carry the passenger while in a wheelchair
• not to make any additional charge for doing so
• if the passenger chooses to sit in a passenger seat, to carry the wheelchair
• to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the passenger is carried in safety and reasonable comfort; and
• to give the passenger such mobility assistance as is reasonable
All taxi and minicab drivers must make sure they don’t discriminate against disabled people and should not treat them less favourably than non-disabled customers. They should also make reasonable adjustments to ensure you receive the same services, as far as this is possible, as someone who’s not disabled.
If a taxi driver does discriminate against you, you should complain to your local authority’s Licencing Department.
Guide Dogs
All taxis must allow guide dogs in vehicles.