East Renfrewshire Council has relaxed regulations governing wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) in response to a significant decline in their availability.
Previously, all new applicants for taxi and private hire vehicle licences required the vehicles to be wheelchair accessible. However, this requirement was temporarily relaxed in 2021 due to the pandemic's impact on the taxi industry.
While the council had initially proposed reinstating the WAV requirement for new applicants, concerns raised by the taxi trade and a disability support group led to a change in approach.
The licensing committee decided to remove the age limits for WAVs, which had been seven years old or below when first licensed and couldn’t be licensed once older than 12 years, and instead subject them to annual inspections.
Additionally, the committee recommended to the council's cabinet that no fee be charged for new or renewal applications.
The council's decision comes amid a dramatic drop in the number of WAVs available in East Renfrewshire.
A report revealed that there were only four WAVs remaining, dropping from 40, primarily due to lapsed licences and drivers opting for non-WAV vehicles when renewing their licences.
Taxi drivers expressed concerns about the high cost of purchasing WAVs, which can exceed £70,000.
They argued that removing the licence fee and age limits would provide some relief but would not be sufficient to encourage more drivers to invest in these vehicles.
Disability rights groups also highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in obtaining WAVs, particularly during peak times like the school run.
The council has agreed to implement the changes on a trial basis for 18 months and will conduct a survey to gather evidence on WAV demand and usage.
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