TfL ‘reviewing the recommendations’ set out by Government to enhance taxi and PHV accessibility options

Image credit: LEVC

Transport for London (TfL) are ‘reviewing the recommendations’ set out by Government asking councils to enhance taxi and minicab accessibility options.

Caroline Pidgeon, a London Assembly Member, raised a crucial question regarding the accessibility of taxis and private hire vehicles. The written question asked the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, how he would respond in the wake of the Government urging councils to enhance the accessibility of such vehicles.

In his response, Mayor Khan detailed the actions taken following the Department for Transport's (DfT) publication of its Best Practice Guidance in November 2023. The document, designed to augment the DfT Statutory Standards set in 2020, is currently under thorough review by TfL. The aim is to ascertain if adjustments are necessary to the existing licensing arrangements.

The Mayor expressed pride in London's existing fleet of taxis, noting that all 14,700 are fully accessible. Furthermore, Khan highlighted that over 400 private hire vehicles in the city are also designated as WAVs.

Sadiq Khan said: “In November 2023, the Department for Transport (DfT) published its Best Practice Guidance for taxi and private hire licensing authorities. Within the Guidance there are a number of recommendations which are designed to complement the DfT Statutory Standards published in 2020. Transport for London (TfL) is reviewing the recommendations in the Guidance and will give consideration to the next steps to determine whether any changes will need to be made to current licensing arrangements.

“I am aware that the DfT’s Best Practice Guidance includes a number of recommendations around the accessibility of taxi and private hire vehicles, and I am very proud that London’s entire fleet of 14,700 taxis are already fully accessible.

“These purpose-built vehicles are designated wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) and have a range of additional accessibility features including, but not limited to, a large interior passenger compartment, a doorway not less than 1.2 metres high, swivel seat, visible grab handles at the door, intermediate steps, colour contrasting sight patches on all passenger seats, hearing induction loops and a wheelchair ramp.

“In addition, over 400 private hire vehicles are designated WAVs.”