‘Is it any wonder?’: Taxi drivers blame councils for wheelchair vehicle crisis as school transport cheapest contracts are driving operators away
- Perry Richardson
- 59 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Taxi and private hire drivers have voiced frustration following a Westminster Hall debate on home-to-school transport, arguing that politicians are focusing on the symptoms of the problem while ignoring the economic realities facing operators asked to provide specialist transport services.
The debate, held on 4 June, heard MPs raise concerns about shortages of wheelchair-accessible vehicles, safeguarding standards and the growing cost of transporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). However, responses from drivers suggest many believe local authority procurement policies and vehicle costs are playing a significant role in reducing available transport capacity.
One of the strongest themes emerging from industry reaction was the cost of purchasing and operating wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Responding to coverage of the debate, taxi driver Joe Clarke said: “Is it any wonder why they don’t have wheelchair vehicles when the cost for a new one is so much.
“The local councils don’t want to pay anything for transport anymore its all on whoever is the cheapest price not on service anymore then they wonder why companies are getting rid of them.”
His comments attracted significant support from fellow drivers and operators. James Wallis, who said he spent a decade undertaking wheelchair transport work, suggested market pressures had changed dramatically in recent years.
Taxi and private hire drivers have responded to MPs’ concerns over SEND transport shortages by warning that rising vehicle costs and low-value council contracts are driving operators away from specialist school transport work.
He said: “Correct, did 10 years on wheel chair runs and then people started undercutting each other, or farming jobs out to companies that pay by the hour! U can’t compete! Stick to a car.”
The issue of affordability was echoed by Lee Elms, who highlighted how vehicle replacement costs have escalated since the pandemic. “The cost of replacing a taxi since covid has got stupid. And the cost of a disabled access vehicle now is ludicrous,” he said.
The comments follow concerns raised in Parliament by Kevin McKenna, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, who described the case of a young wheelchair user whose family reportedly contacted nine local cab firms without finding a single adapted vehicle available.
Some drivers argued that accessibility challenges are particularly acute in rural areas, where specialist vehicles may struggle to generate enough work outside contracted school journeys.
Alan Cain said: “These places are not economically viable for such an expensive vehicle. The pick ups would be too far apart. The need outside of peak times would no doubt be minimal.
“If it’s not economical then it doesn’t work for anyone to do it. That’s the truth of it.”
Others suggested government intervention may be required if authorities expect operators to invest in more accessible fleets.
John Gardner commented: “Maybe if the government subside the taxi trade like they do buses and trains then taxi drivers could afford to invest in wheelchair accessible vehicles for the public.”
The debate around SEND transport also reopened discussion on how councils procure services. Drivers repeatedly claimed contract awards are increasingly being decided on cost rather than quality.
Alongside concerns about accessibility, some drivers responded to parliamentary discussions around safeguarding and restraint procedures for vulnerable children travelling to school.
Paul Ming argued that any future reporting requirements would need to recognise the realities facing drivers and passenger assistants managing challenging behaviour.
“There should be some kind of reporting procedures,” he said, while adding that there are occasions when children may require intervention to protect themselves, other passengers or the driver.
The response from drivers highlights a widening gap between the expectations being placed on school transport providers and the commercial realities facing operators. While MPs focused on the availability of transport and safeguarding standards, many within the trade argue that the shrinking supply of specialist vehicles is ultimately being driven by rising costs, increasing regulation and contract pricing models that no longer make wheelchair-accessible transport financially viable.
As Government ministers continue work on SEND reform and home-to-school transport policy, drivers are warning that without addressing the economics of specialist transport provision, councils may continue to struggle to secure the adapted vehicles and trained operators that vulnerable passengers rely on every day.
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