Staffordshire taxis

Taxi travel overview 

Many taxi companies in Staffordshire 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.

Find accessible taxi companies

Stafford Borough Council has produced a list of vehicles licensed as either a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle, which are wheelchair accessible taxis.

Selected accessible taxi companies

Sky Taxis

www.taxilocations.co.uk

Services in Stafford, Stone and the surrounding areas.

Most vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Drivers are trained to ensure they provide the required taxi service for disabled passengers.

Contact: 01785 526000

Stafford Taxis

www.staffordtaxi.co.uk

Services include airport transfers. Vehicles include a 7-seater wheelchair-accessible taxi, which can be booked for journeys to hospitals, nursing homes or other locations for customers.

Contact: 01785 500123  

Cabability

cabability.co.uk

Cover all of Staffordshire and the Midland regions. Provide wheelchair-accessible travel and transport for special requirements. Contact via the website.

Que-Cabs

quecabs.co.uk

Based in Stoke-on-Trent. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles available. Services include hospital trips and airport transfers.

Contact: 07789 303711

Uttoxeter Station Taxis

st14stationtaxis.com

Vehicles include wheelchair-accessible taxis for up to six passengers.

Contact: 01889 560000 

A2B Taxis Cannock LTD 

a2btaxiscannock.com

Operating in Cannock and surrounding areas with taxis and minibuses.

Contact: 01543 888 999

A1 Taxis 

www.a1cannocktaxis.co.uk

Operating in Cannock and surrounding areas. Drivers are happy to help with shopping or assist you into the vehicle.

Contact: 01543 566 566

Corky Cars

corkyscars.co.uk

A choice of vehicles operating in Cannock and surrounding areas.

Contact: 01543 505 058

Aero Taxis

cannocktaxiservice.co.uk

Taxi and minibus service in Cannock, Rugeley, Penkridge, Burntwood and surrounding areas.

Contact: 01543 505050

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.