Taxis and the Equality Act

Download Final September 2018 report:

• Licensing authorities’ approach to the Equality Act 2010 provisions on taxi wheelchair discrimination Sept 2018 report (.pdf, 3Mb) – Sept 2018 report (.docx, 3Mb)

Interim Reports:

• April 2018 update (.pdf, 2Mb) – April 2018 update (.docx, 7Mb)
• July 2017 initial report (.pdf, 7Mb) – July 2017 initial report (.docx, 27Mb)

Data Tables:

• Combined Data Tables for all reports (.xlsx, 7Mb)

My research examines the efficacy of the “new” law requiring taxi drivers not to discriminate against wheelchair users, commenced in April 2017. Taxi drivers face £1,000 fines for refusing to take or help wheelchair users, or if they charge wheelchair users more, but only if the local council has created a “designated list” of wheelchair accessible taxis.

The Department of Transport’s guidance states:

Section 167 of the Act (Equality Act 2010) permits, but does not require, LAs (Local Authorities) to maintain a designated list of wheelchair accessible taxis and PHVs (Private Hire Vehicles).
Whilst LAs are under no specific legal obligation to maintain a list under section 167, the Government recommends strongly that they do so. Without such a list the requirements of section 165 of the Act do not apply, and drivers may continue to refuse the carriage of wheelchair users, fail to provide them with assistance, or to charge them extra.

It recommended local authorities create their lists by October 2017. So I conducted comprehensive research demonstrating that in April 2018, less than half of taxi licensing authorities have implemented this legislation. There have been only three successful prosecutions of drivers for discriminating against wheelchair users.