Cambridgeshire taxis

Taxi Travel overview 

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 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

Andy Cabs

01223 571 144
All taxis are wheelchair accessible. 

United Taxis

01223 313 131
Can provide wheelchair accessible taxis if booked in advance.

Diamond

01223 523 523 
Can provide wheelchair accessible taxis if booked in advance.

Panther

01223 715 715
Can provide wheelchair accessible taxis if booked in advance.

Hackney Carriages

These vehicles generally look like London 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. About a third of Cambridge’s Hackney cabs are wheelchair accessible.

Planning a journey

When booking a taxi from a firm which is not 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 do not 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 is not disabled.

If a taxi driver does discriminate against you, you should complain to your local authority’s Licencing Department.