East Riding taxis

Taxi travel overview 

Many taxi companies in East Riding 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

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council carries a public register of all wheelchair-accessible vehicles available for hire within the East Riding area, as well as guidance, which can be viewed on the council website below.

East Rose Taxi

eastrosetaxi.co.uk

Has a Hackney Carriage Licence. Based in Walkington and serving the Beverley, Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire regions. Offers a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, with full access and seating up to 8 passengers. 

Contact: 01482 868375 or carl@eastrosetaxi.co.uk

Willerby Arrow Cars 

arrowcarsbridlington.business.site

Based in Bridlington. Offer wheelchair-accessible taxis. All types of journeys from a trip to the local shops, or a transfer to any UK destination including all airport and seaports.

Contact: 01262 400200 or arrowcarsbridlington@gmail.com

Jimmy’s Taxis

www.jimmystaxi.co.uk

Based in Goole. Offers a fully-equipped taxi for wheelchair users, plus a minibus, for hospital and medical appointments, airports and other travel.

Contact: 07849 91 80 23 or office@jimmystaxi.co.uk

Cabplus

cabplus.co.uk

Wheelchair transport covering Hull and beyond.

Contact: 01482 473 235 or info@cabplus.co.uk

VIP Cars 

www.vipcarshull.co.uk

Vehicles include wheelchair-accessible taxis. Services include airport transfers, long distance taxi services and private car hire for Hull, East Riding and surrounding areas.

Contact: 01482 904 022

Drive 

www.taxihull.co.uk

A large taxi fleet including minibuses. Covering all areas in Hull including Humberside Airport.

Contact: 01482 575 757

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

Sections 168 and 170 of the Equality Act 2010, requires non-exempt drivers of taxis and PHVs to accept the carriage of assistance dogs and to refrain from charging extra for them.

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.