Suffolk taxis

Taxi Travel overview

There are numerous individual taxi companies operating throughout Suffolk.   

Check with individual operators regarding accessibility requirements before booking your journey. 

You can find all taxi operators in Suffolk, compare prices, and obtain fare quotations on the Taxi Compare website.

Selected accessible taxi companies

Hawk Express Cabs – Ipswich 

Contact: 01473 222222 (24 hrs)  

One wheelchair accessible vehicle that allows travel whilst seated in a wheelchair. Bookable service. Folded wheelchairs and walkers can be transported if they can be accommodated within the boot of the car. 

Avenue Taxis – Ipswich

Contact: 01473 888888 (24 hrs) 

Two wheelchair accessible vehicles that allow travel whilst seated in a wheelchair. Bookable service.  

First Stop / Get Away Cars – Bury St Edmunds 

Contact: 01284 763555 (24hrs)

Offering a range of taxi services in the Bury St Edmunds, Mildenhall and Stowmarket areas, including wheelchair accessible travel which is usually only bookable.

P & P Executive Travel – Lowestoft 

Contact: 07771 701040 (Phone or text)

Available for booking in the local area and beyond.  A wheelchair accessible VW Caddy vehicle enables clients to travel seated in a wheelchair. 

Diss Able Taxis 

Contact: 01379 640900 or www.abletaxis.co.uk

Vehicles include 4–6 seat capacity taxis. Diss Able Taxis are licensed by the local authority as Hackney Carriages. All drivers are licenced by South Norfolk District Council and fully DBS checked. 

They can arrange minibus and wheelchair transport by prior arrangement and offer airport/ train pickups and drop offs, alongside local taxi services. Accessible services can be limited due to local demand and operational hours.

Driving Miss Daisy 

Contact: 0333 014 6211 or email Ipswich@drivingmissdaisy.co.uk

Provide assisted transportation.

A privately bookable taxi service within Ipswich area with additional services in Norfolk, including Burgh Castle and Kings Lynn, as well as other areas of the country. Discuss individual requirements to gain prices for services. 

You can travel independently or arrange the assistance of Driving Miss Daisy companion services.  

Services can include accessible travel for leisure, special days out, regular activities and more. Visit their website for details.

Planning a journey

It is advisable to discuss your needs with individual operators before travelling. This will ensure any personal mobility requirements can be met. For instance, if you need to travel whilst seated in a wheelchair. 

You should make the operator aware, at the time of booking, of equipment such as foldable wheelchairs and walking frames that you may need to travel with. Most operators are able to accommodate these as long as you are able to enter and exit the taxi independently.

You may wish to consider before making a booking:

• Which taxi operator will be required and whether there is specific guidance for travelling with mobility equipment in their vehicles.
• How much assistance you will need when you arrive at your destination.
• How you will travel to your destination point after your taxi journey. If you have an onward journey at an airport or a train station, will you need to arrange assistance? 
• Can you pay online when you pre-book your journey.

Suffolk County Council operates a taxi voucher scheme. You may be eligible if you are unable to access the local bus services using the concessionary passes provided due to disability.  

Bus passes can be exchanged for up to £100 of vouchers which can be used with participating taxi firms. You will need to check with a taxi company before travelling that they accept vouchers as payment. 

To apply and for further information visit their website. Or contact 0345 600 0659.

Keeping safe whilst travelling

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 the 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. 

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 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
• 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.