One in four London black cab journeys involve passengers with mobility needs, LTDA survey finds
- Perry Richardson
- 34 minutes ago
- 2 min read
New research published by the London Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) has highlighted the significant role London’s black cabs play in transporting wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments across the capital, at a time when the industry continues to face declining driver numbers.
According to the LTDA survey of 1,971 taxi drivers, 37% of respondents said between 10% and 25% of their hirings involve wheelchair users or people with mobility issues. A further 30% said these passengers account for between 25% and 50% of their work. The findings suggest that accessibility-related journeys form a substantial proportion of black cab activity across London.
The survey also found that 15% of drivers said between 50% and 75% of their hirings involve passengers with mobility needs, while 10% reported that more than 75% of their journeys are undertaken for this group. Only 8% of respondents said less than 10% of their work involved wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.
The figures serve as a reminder of the unique position occupied by London’s licensed taxi fleet. Every black cab licensed by Transport for London is wheelchair accessible, making it the only transport mode in the capital where the entire fleet is designed to accommodate wheelchair users. Black cabs are equipped with ramps and other accessibility features, while drivers are trained to assist passengers with a range of mobility requirements.
New industry data highlights the crucial accessibility role played by London’s black cabs as concerns grow over declining driver numbers and the future availability of wheelchair accessible transport.
For many disabled Londoners, black cabs provide a vital door-to-door service that cannot always be replicated by other transport options. While accessibility across London’s wider transport network has improved over recent years, significant parts of the Underground network remain inaccessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. The ability to hail a fully wheelchair accessible vehicle from the street continues to provide an important level of independence for many passengers.
The survey results arrive amid growing concerns about the long-term sustainability of London’s taxi trade. The number of licensed taxi drivers has fallen significantly from historic highs, with industry representatives and politicians repeatedly warning about the potential impact on service availability if recruitment does not keep pace with retirements.
A shrinking taxi workforce could have particular implications for disabled passengers. If driver numbers continue to decline, waiting times may increase and vehicle availability could become more constrained, particularly during peak periods and in outer London areas where transport alternatives may be more limited.
The issue has increasingly attracted attention at City Hall. Politicians from across the political spectrum have recently raised concerns about the declining number of Knowledge of London students and the potential impact this may have on future taxi driver numbers. Accessibility campaigners have also stressed the importance of maintaining a strong black cab fleet given its role as London’s only universally wheelchair accessible hailed transport service.
The LTDA survey data adds further evidence to the debate, indicating that a significant proportion of black cab work is directly linked to supporting passengers with mobility needs.
