North Yorkshire considers new taxi licensing policy to boost wheelchair access and cleaner vehicles
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 10
- 2 min read
North Yorkshire councillors are set to consider a revised taxi licensing framework aimed at improving accessibility for passengers with additional needs and increasing the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles operating across the county.
Executive members at North Yorkshire Council will be asked to approve an updated Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy alongside a new Inclusive Service Plan when they meet on 17 March. The proposals are designed to address a shortage of licensed wheelchair accessible vehicles while also encouraging a shift towards cleaner vehicle technologies.
Council data shows that there are currently 60 licensed wheelchair accessible hackney carriage vehicles operating across North Yorkshire, equating to around one vehicle for every 10,250 residents. This is below the national average for rural authorities, which stands at roughly one wheelchair accessible vehicle per 8,150 people. In the best performing rural areas, provision can reach one vehicle for every 2,000 to 3,000 residents.
Previous attempts to increase the number of accessible taxis relied on incentives rather than requirements. The authority waived licence fees and relaxed vehicle age limits for wheelchair accessible vehicles, but officials say the number of vehicles has remained low and is unlikely to improve significantly without stronger policy measures.
Councillors will decide next week on proposals that would require all newly licensed hackney carriage vehicles to be wheelchair accessible or low-emission.
Under the revised policy, all new applications for hackney carriage licences would need to be for a wheelchair accessible vehicle, a zero emission vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. Existing licensed vehicles would retain so called grandfather rights, allowing them to continue operating until they are no longer considered fit for purpose without needing to upgrade to meet the new standards.
Cllr Richard Foster, executive member for licensing, said the proposals are intended to improve transport equality while balancing the needs of the local taxi trade. He said: “We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, so the aim of the policy is to improve the access and availability of licensed vehicles across the county.
“Hackney carriage and private hire services play an important role in transporting members of the public safely, and our plans would ensure that there is a mixed fleet, which is in line with the Government’s guidance, and will help to reduce emissions and improve air quality.”
The updated framework also proposes operational changes for private hire firms. Operators would be required to identify any passenger accessibility needs before accepting a booking to ensure that an appropriate vehicle can be dispatched.
Consultation carried out during development of the policy drew responses from drivers, operators, wheelchair users and disability groups. Feedback showed broad agreement that equal access to taxi services is important and that more wheelchair accessible vehicles are needed to meet demand.
Alongside the licensing changes, councillors will consider adopting a new Inclusive Service Plan aimed at improving awareness of accessibility requirements across the industry. The plan focuses on both visible mobility needs and less visible conditions, including autism and mental health conditions.
If approved, the council will review the policy after 12 months to assess its effectiveness and determine whether further adjustments or consultation with the industry and disability groups are required.
