Isle of Wight taxis

Taxi travel overview 

Many taxi companies in the Isle of Wight 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. 

Selected accessible taxi companies

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 wheelchair. Drivers will perform a risk assessment for less standard wheelchairs to establish if they are able to transport them safely.

Alpha Taxis

alphaiow.co.uk

Contact: 01983 280280

A family-run company based in Newport, operating 24 hours a day. They are the concession holder for St Mary’s Hospital. Vehicles include wheelchair-accessible taxis and rear-lift vehicles which transport two wheelchairs at a time.

Ryde Taxis

www.rtcars.co.uk

Contact: 01983 811111 or info@rtcars.co.uk

A family-run business providing a 24-hour service across the Island. 

It is the largest taxi company on the Isle of Wight, supplying hackney carriage taxis, Private Hire cars, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and mainland trips. 

Criss Cross Cabs

www.crisscrosstaxis.com

Contact: 01983 640240

Operating from Ryde, they are available from early morning to late night (although not a 24-hour service). Taxis are wheelchair and pet friendly.

ASAP Taxis

asaptaxis.co.uk

Contact: 01983 244444

ASAP taxis is a small independent taxi and private hire service operating in East Cowes (PO32) and Whippingham, Isle of Wight, supplying taxis to the nearby areas including Wootton Bridge & Fishbourne (Wightlink). They have a wheelchair-accessible taxi which can accommodate the wheelchair user plus four additional passengers.

Redline Taxis

redlinetaxisiow.co.uk

Contact: 01983 404444 or info@redlinetaxisiow.co.uk

Redline Taxis are based in Sandown and offer a service to domestic and commercial clients, 24 hours a day. Vehicles include wheelchair-accessible taxis and minibuses.

Ladybird Taxis

www.ladybirdtaxisiow.co.uk

Contact: 01983 302010 or info@ladybirdtaxisiow.co.uk

Based in Rookley, Isle of Wight, the taxi service operates 24 hours per day. They have a wheelchair-accessible taxi fitted with a ramp which can accommodate 1 wheelchair and 3 additional passengers.

Planning a journey

• Book your taxi in advance, especially at busy times.  
• If you are booking a Private Hire Vehicle, you can request the price in advance.  
• If you need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, ensure that you specify any access requirements and your mobility equipment at the time of booking.

Keeping safe when travelling

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.

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 and 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.