Department of Transport: 2004

Will London taxis be the specification for wheelchair accessibility here

4 November 2004

To ask the Minister for Transport if London taxis will be the specification for wheelchair accessibility here; if it is possible to modify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Pat Breen.
For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 4th November, 2004.
Ref No: 27633/04

Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Martin Cullen)

The Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles)(Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No 47 of 1998) set out the requirements for wheelchair accessible taxis.
The Taxi Regulation Act 2003 specifically provides that an objective of the Commission for Taxi Regulation is to promote access to small public service vehicles by persons with disabilities. In this regard, the Commission will be tasked with the determination of future policy in relation to accessible taxis, including the consideration of possible revisions or improvements to the existing wheelchair accessible taxi specification. It is envisaged that this will necessitate specific discussions with both disability and taxi representative groups.