Posted on the 10th March 2025 in PHTM News

NORTH YORKSHIRE TAXI POLICY SPARKS CONTROVERSY OVER WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY

North Yorkshire Council's proposal to mandate wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) for new taxi registrations has ignited a debate, with taxi drivers calling for more research and warning of potential trade damage.

The council aims to increase the number of WAV taxis, currently standing at approximately 70, or one for every 9,000 residents, a ratio significantly lower than other rural authorities.

The council's consultation proposes requiring all new taxi registrations to be WAVs, electric, or potentially hybrid vehicles, with the goal of reaching a ratio of one WAV for every 2,000 to 3,000 residents, necessitating around 200 additional WAVs.

However, Richard Fieldman, representing the North Yorkshire Taxi Drivers group, comprising around 100 members, argues that the policy could lead to a decline in taxi availability.

"The policy isn’t going to create more wheelchair vehicles, all it’s going to do is put a lot of people out of the trade," he stated.

"By forcing this onto drivers you’re just creating a bigger problem because a lot of drivers like me who are in their 60s won’t make that kind of investment needed to buy a WAV. They’ll just retire early or go find another job.”

Fieldman is calling for an "unmet demand survey" to accurately assess taxi demand across the region. "The council has done no research at all other than look at what other councils have done," he claimed.

“If you ask the general public, they will tell you they can’t get a taxi when they want them, just the same as wheelchair users are saying.”

He also advocates for allowing Euro 6 petrol and diesel vehicles, which meet stringent EU emissions standards.

Conversely, Disability Action Yorkshire is urging public participation in the consultation, emphasising the need for accessible transportation.

Chief Executive Jackie Snape highlighted the challenges faced by disabled individuals: "For many of us, calling a taxi is the answer to a simple need. We want a convenient, economic service that will take us to our destination.

"However, for disabled people, the provision of wheelchair-accessible licensed taxis across the district is low, and the alternatives are expensive specialist private hire vehicles which are beyond the means of most disabled people.”

Councillor Greg White, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for licensing, acknowledged the difficulties faced by passengers requiring accessible vehicles.

"It can affect their mental health and leave them isolated, so we need to ensure the trade serves everybody, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or sex," he said.

"We recognise that taxis should be accessible to all, and we need to strike a balance that supports users and is feasible for the trade to adopt. Although WAV provision is typically lower in rural authorities than in urban areas, we know that we can do better.”

The consultation period runs until Wednesday, 30 April, and further details can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/taxi-consultation.

 


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