‘TALKING METERS AND ACCESSIBLE CARD READERS’: Taxi sector ideas in government response on accessible travel for visually impaired passengers
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
The taxi and private hire sector has been highlighted by the UK Government as an important part of improving transport accessibility for blind and partially sighted passengers, following a written parliamentary question answered in the House of Commons this month.
Responding to a question from Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said the Department for Transport (DfT) provides guidance to taxi and private hire licensing authorities aimed at improving accessibility and strengthening protections for disabled passengers.
Greenwood said the guidance recommends “mandatory disability awareness training for drivers” and sets out steps licensing authorities can take to improve how incidents involving disabled passengers are handled.
She added that the advice also encourages authorities to make reporting discrimination easier for visually impaired passengers and to take account of the challenges they may face when providing evidence. According to the minister, the guidance “sets out recommendations to make reporting of incidents of alleged discrimination straightforward, with authorities expected to investigate thoroughly and take effective action”.
Department for Transport outlines role of licensing authorities and operators in improving accessibility and handling discrimination complaints
The department also advises licensing authorities to accept a wider range of evidence when complaints are made. Greenwood said the guidance “recognises the specific challenges that visually impaired passengers may face when providing evidence of incidents and advises licensing authorities to accept appropriate audio or video evidence and, where relevant, seek information from operators and partner agencies”.
Authorities are also encouraged to consider vehicle equipment and payment technology that may improve accessibility for passengers with sight loss. The minister said the guidance encourages authorities to explore “more accessible payment options, such as ‘talking’ meters or more accessible card readers”.
The comments formed part of a broader government response on improving accessible transport across multiple modes. Greenwood said the Government is committed to enabling disabled people to travel “safely, confidently and with dignity, including for blind and partially sighted people”.
Alongside taxi and private hire measures, the minister referenced the Bus Services Act 2025, which introduces new requirements aimed at improving accessibility in local bus networks, including disability training for frontline staff and the development of Bus Network Accessibility Plans by local authorities.
Greenwood also highlighted work underway in the rail sector, including the Department for Transport’s roadmap to an accessible railway and the continued rollout of accessible station infrastructure through the Access for All programme.
Further regulatory changes affecting the taxi and private hire industry could also emerge through upcoming legislation. Greenwood said the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently before the House of Lords, includes provisions allowing the Secretary of State to set national requirements that must be met for taxi and private hire licences to be issued and held.
The Government is also developing an Accessible Travel Charter aimed at setting clearer expectations for disabled passengers and encouraging transport operators to adopt consistent accessibility standards across different modes.
