“TRANSPORT ACCESS FOR ALL”

Taxi and Hackney Services

Improving the accessibility of taxis and hackneys for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments remains a particular challenge, primarily due to the structure and organisation of the sector. Taxis and hackneys have a key role to play in the provision of a door-to-door service for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. For many people they provide the only means by which they can participate in economic, social or cultural activity.

The Commission for Taxi Regulation was established as an independent public body in September 2004 under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. The principal function of the Commission is the development and maintenance of a regulatory framework for the control and operation of small public service vehicles (taxis, hackneys and limousines) and their drivers. The Commission's mission is "to achieve a first class, professional, efficient, safe and accessible, customer-friendly service for small public service vehicle passengers and service providers".

Improving access to services provided by small public service vehicles (SPSVs) for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments is a key objective of the Commission. Since its establishment, the Commission has conducted extensive consultation and research to establish where new regulations are required, where existing regulations need to be amended and where other initiatives are necessary.

The Commission's National Review[3] indicated that people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments do not currently enjoy access to a service that is on a par with services provided to other consumers. The main concerns raised by people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments related to:

  • Accessibility,
  • Availability, and
  • Affordability.

The Commission proposes to put in place a range of measures to improve the quality and accessibility of SPSV services for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments:

Accessibility

Making SPSV services accessible does not simply relate to physical access to the vehicle, though this is a critical element. Booking systems together with information and complaints systems must also be accessible to all. The Commission plans the following actions to improve accessibility:

  • Dispatch centres will be required to accept bookings in accessible formats such as fax, sms and email from September 2007.
  • The Commission will develop a database of accessible SPSVs. Details including contact details will be made available on the Commission's website and in Braille, large print and audiotape from December 2006.
  • The Commission will produce a Passengers' Guide, a Customer Charter of Rights and Responsibilities and fare information in a range of accessible formats including Braille, large print and audiotape from September 2006.
  • The Commission will put in place a user friendly and accessible complaints system that will be accessible by phone, fax and email from September 2006.
  • The Commission will carry out an audit of taxi ranks and develop best practice guidelines for local authorities to assist in the provision of accessible ranks in 2007. The provision and location of taxi ranks will remain the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
  • Drivers will be required to carry assistance/guide dogs and mobility aids when requested. Additional charges for these will not be permitted from September 2006.

The Commission proposes to put in place new vehicle specifications for all taxis and hackneys. This will mean two and possibly three categories of vehicle as follows:

Category 1: This will be a vehicle with specific accessibility features for all passengers including approximately 85% of people who wish to travel in their wheelchair.

Category 2: This will be a vehicle based on the large family car category with a minimum internal, boot and engine size which includes specific accessibility features for most passengers except for those who need to travel in their wheelchairs.

Category 3: The Commission is investigating a possible third category for people with very specific accessibility needs (e.g. power chairs) and not for profit groups.

The Commission will shortly publish a consultation paper on vehicle standards with a view to putting the new standards in place commencing in 2007.

The Commission will develop a system to monitor the level and quality of services available to people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments and carry out ongoing access audits on an annual basis from 2007.

Availability

There are two issues of concern in relation to availability of SPSVs for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. Firstly, there is the issue of the number of accessible vehicles which are licensed and, secondly, the issue of ensuring that vehicles which are licensed as accessible actually provide the service.

The Commission's research indicates that the initial purchase cost of a wheelchair or fully accessible vehicle is proving a serious disincentive to providing such a service. This has led to a dramatic reduction in the number of wheelchair accessible taxis.

The Commission believes that the solution requires:

  • A financial incentive, one solution being in the form of VRT relief on accessible SPSVs.
  • Increased enforcement to ensure that those with wheelchair accessible licences actually provide the service; the recruitment of enforcement officers will commence in 2006.
  • A requirement that all Dispatch Centres provide an accessible service at all times of operation.

The Department is currently in discussion with the Commission on these issues.

Affordability

Affordability can also act as a barrier to accessing SPSV services for some people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. To address this issue, the Commission will investigate the possibility of putting in place some form of subsidy or assistance on a pilot basis. The Commission will work in co-operation with the Department of Transport and the Department of Social and Family Affairs and other stakeholders in this regard.

Additional Initiatives

Training

The Commission will put in place a mandatory Skills Development Programme that will have as a core element disability awareness and training relevant to the provision of a service for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. The training will be mandatory for all new SPSV drivers from 2007 and will be a requirement for all existing SPSV drivers from 2008.

Commission Operations

The Commission's offices and communications systems will be accessible and all documents and information will be available in accessible formats from the end of 2006.

Consultation

The Commission will establish a SPSV users group which will include people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. This group will be established later this year and will be consulted on an ongoing basis.

[3] Commission for Taxi Regulation (2005), National Review of Services and Vehicle Standards in Taxis, Hackneys and Limousines in Ireland; available at www.taxiregulator.ie