North Somerset taxis

Taxi travel overview 

Many taxi companies 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.

Information regarding accessible taxis in North Somerset can be found on the North Somerset Council website.

Selected accessible taxi companies

Mbee’s Taxis

Based in Clevedon. They have a wheelchair accessible vehicle which can accommodate 5 people and a wheelchair. 

Contact: 01275 880666 or enquiries@mbeesonline.co.uk

Travelbillity.com

Travelbillity.com

Cover Weston-Super-Mare, Portishead, Clevedon and Nailsea (also Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater in Somerset). Most vehicles are wheelchair accessible and are fitted with tail lifts and special flooring which allows for a four-point tie down system.

Contact: 01934 51 55 11

Techxi

techxi.co.uk

Booking can be made via an App, downloadable from the website.  They have a fleet including wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs).

Contact: 01179 777 777

Apple Taxis Weston

www.appletaxisweston.com

Based in Weston-super-Mare. Offer wheelchair-accessible taxis.

Contact: 01934 66 66 66

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.