Council backs taxi support package and new wheelchair-accessible vehicle zone in Dumfries and Galloway
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 22
- 3 min read
Dumfries and Galloway Council has approved a new package of measures aimed at supporting taxi services across the region and increasing the availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
The decisions were agreed at a meeting of the council’s Enabling and Customer Services Committee on Thursday 19 March, after councillors reviewed evidence from a recent taxi demand survey alongside feedback from drivers and community groups.
A central part of the package is the decision to retain the current two-zone licensing structure. That means the Dumfries Trading Zone will remain in place alongside the existing rest-of-region zone, preserving the framework that currently governs where licensed taxis can operate.
The committee also agreed to keep the cap on taxi licences in the Dumfries zone at 70. That decision is likely to be closely watched by drivers and operators, as licence limits can affect competition, vehicle supply and the balance between demand and driver earnings in a local market.
Licensing fee cuts for wheelchair-accessible taxis and a new region-wide operating zone form part of plans approved by councillors to support services and improve accessible transport provision.
Alongside that, councillors approved the creation of a new licensing zone specifically for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Under the new arrangement, any licensed wheelchair-accessible taxi in that category will be able to operate across the whole of Dumfries and Galloway rather than being restricted to a single area.
The council is also cutting licensing fees for wheelchair-accessible taxis in a move designed to encourage more operators to invest in accessible vehicles. A new or renewed wheelchair-accessible taxi licence will cost £230, while the fee for substituting a vehicle will be £65.
The move reflects growing pressure on local authorities to improve accessible transport options, particularly in rural areas where the availability of specialist vehicles can be limited and passengers may face longer waits or fewer booking choices. By allowing wheelchair-accessible taxis to work across the region, the council is seeking to make better use of the vehicles already in service while creating conditions for further growth.
Councillors also agreed to lobby both the Scottish and UK governments for financial support to help taxi operators with the cost of buying and maintaining wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The lobbying effort will also press for wider assistance for taxi and private hire services operating in rural communities, where costs can be higher and commercial viability more difficult.
The package points to a twin-track approach from the council, keeping existing controls on standard taxi licensing in Dumfries while using fee reductions and regulatory flexibility to improve provision in the wheelchair-accessible segment.
Councillor John Campbell, Chair of the Enabling and Customer Services Committee, said: “This is an important issue for communities across Dumfries and Galloway, particularly in relation to accessibility and the availability of taxi services. Members have considered the evidence carefully and agreed a package of measures which aims to improve wheelchair accessible provision while recognising the practical pressures facing operators.
“The creation of a new Zone is a significant step. It is intended to help encourage more wheelchair accessible vehicles onto the road and improve access for people who rely on those services, while retaining the current arrangements in the existing zones.”
Councillor Ben Dashper, Vice-Chair of the Committee, said: “There is no single easy answer here, but this gives us a practical way forward. It reflects the need to improve accessibility while keeping the wider picture of taxi provision across the region in mind.”
