Berkshire taxis

Taxi travel overview 

Many taxi companies in Berkshire now offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis are usually black cabs, wheelchair-adapted vehicles, people carriers, minibuses or converted small vans. 

They may have a ramp or a passenger lift to assist a wheelchair user with getting into the vehicle, which is far easier than transferring from a wheelchair to a car seat and dismantling the wheelchair for the journey. 

Hackney Carriages

These vehicles generally look like London style cabs and all have an illuminated TAXI sign on the roof. Taxis can be hailed in the street or they can be hired at taxi ranks. 

All hackney carriages are wheelchair-accessible vehicles, although drivers may not be able to carry all types of wheelchairs. Drivers will perform a risk assessment for less standard wheelchairs to establish if they are able to transport them safely.

Selected accessible taxi companies

Reading Wheelchair Taxis

Reading Wheelchair Taxis website
0118 9666 555

Vehicles are specially adapted to carry 1 passenger seated in a wheelchair, powerchair or scooter and up to 4 other passengers. Drivers are trained in disability awareness and best practice for assisting the passenger.

Ace Wheelchair Travel

Ace Wheelchair Travel website
0118 9587 587

Have a fleet of wheelchair-accessible vehicles with specially trained drivers and DBS certified escorts, if required. They operate a 24/7 service and can provide transport to hospitals in Berkshire, and airports or cruise transfers.

Wheels Taxis

Wheels Taxis website
07500 700961
info@wheelstaxis.co.uk

Based in Newbury, this company offer two wheelchair-accessible taxis and operate 7 days a week. They can provide airport transfers to all the major airports across the South.

Andy’s Taxis

Andy’s Taxis website
07990 670311
andy@andys-taxis.co.uk

Based in Thatcham, Andy’s Taxis provides a taxi service throughout Thatcham, Newbury and West Berkshire, operating a 24 hour, 7 days a week service. Their fleet includes wheelchair-accessible vehicles. 

They operate transfers to all local airports across the South and local sea ports.

Swift Cars

Swift Cars website
0118 4363636

Wokingham Wheelchair Taxi service is operated by Swift Cars. They have wheelchair-accessible vehicles serving the following areas: Wokingham, Finchampstead, Winnersh, Crowthorne, Binfield, Sindlesham, and Woodley.

Planning a journey

• Book your taxi in advance, especially at busy times.  
• If you are booking a Private Hire Vehicle, you can request the price in advance.  
• If you need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, ensure that you specify any access requirements and your mobility equipment at the time of booking.

Keeping safe when travelling

As wheelchairs are carefully designed to support a disabled person, wheelchair-accessible taxis allow disabled people to stay in the position that is best for their body and posture.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis must be equipped to secure the wheelchair when the cab is in motion. Seat belts or lap belts should be available to keep the wheelchair user steady.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis are also adding different forms of lighting to help the visually impaired.

All the equipment in a wheelchair taxi should be regularly tested by the driver to ensure it remains in good repair.

Operator obligations

The law states that to comply with the Equalities Act 2010, licensed drivers are under a legal duty to carry wheelchair users, guide, hearing and other prescribed assistance dogs in their vehicles without additional charge. 

The law expects drivers:

• to carry the passenger while in a wheelchair and not to make any additional charge for doing so
• if the passenger chooses to sit in a passenger seat, to carry the wheelchair
• to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the passenger is carried in safety and reasonable comfort; and
• to give the passenger such mobility assistance as is reasonable

All taxi and minicab drivers must make sure they do not discriminate against disabled people and should not treat them less favourably than non-disabled customers. 

They should also make reasonable adjustments to ensure you receive the same services, as far as this is possible, as someone who is not disabled.

If a taxi driver does discriminate against you, you should complain to your local authority’s Licencing Department.