Leicestershire taxis

Taxi travel overview 

Many taxi companies in Leicestershire 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

Leicester Black Cabs

leicesterblackcabs.uk

Operate a large fleet of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the county. Ramps and swivel seats are available. Passengers may travel in their wheelchair.

Contact: 0116 44 222 44

Swift Fox Cabs

www.swiftfoxcabs.co.uk

A large fleet of wheelchair-friendly vehicles in Leicestershire, including two 8-seater vehicles with electric tail lifts and able to carry 3 wheelchairs at once.

Contact: 0116 26 28 222

Jubilee Wheelchair Taxis (Leicester)

jubileetaxi.co.uk

Contact: 0116 247 0123

Eleet Travel (Loughborough)

www.eleettravel.co.uk

Available for national travel with a wheelchair-accessible vehicle with an electric ramp. Plus, trailers for carrying items such as mobility scooters.

Contact: 0116 235 3717

Murphys Taxis (Market Harborough and Lutterworth)

murphystaxis.co.uk

Offer specially-adapted vehicles for wheelchairs.

Contact: 01858 410 210 or 01455 55 9000

Fosse Taxis 

www.fossetaxis.co.uk

Wheelchair-accessible taxis for Leicester and surrounding areas.

Contact: 01162 322 222

A1 Mercia Taxis (Hinckley)

a1merciataxis.co.uk

Offer accessible vehicles for passengers with disability and mobility equipment.

Contact: 01455 636363 

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 Licensing Department.