Warwickshire taxis

Taxi travel overview  

Many taxi companies in Warwickshire 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 

Get Minibus

www.getminibus.co.uk

Serving Warwickshire with fully accessible wheelchair taxis for 4 passengers and 1 wheelchair occupant, as well as an accessible minibus. Ramps, grab handles and wheelchair restraint belts are available. 

Contact: 07768 21 24 29 or getminibus@aol.com

Warwickshire Taxis

www.warwickshiretaxis.co.uk

Based in Stratford upon Avon with accessible taxis.

Contact: 01789 508898

Easy Cabs

easy-cab.co.uk

Based in Leamington Spa. Wheelchair taxis are available for 4 passengers and 1 wheelchair occupant.

Contact: 01926 425959 or enquiries@easy-cab.co.uk

Markham’s Taxis

www.markhamtaxis.co.uk

Operating in Warwickshire, the fleet includes wheelchair-accessible taxis.

Contact: 01926 313141

ABC Taxis Rugby

www.abctaxisrugby.co.uk

Can provide taxis for wheelchair customers.

Contact: 01788 567000

Rugby Taxis

rugbytaxis.uk

Serving Rugby, Coventry and further afield in Warwickshire and surrounding counties. Drivers are wheelchair trained. Ask on booking for a wheelchair- accessible taxi if required.

Contact: 07402 804226

BriteLift

britelift.com

Can provide door-to-door services and the fleet includes custom vehicles for scooters, bariatric and electric wheelchairs.

Contact: 0847 7921212 or reservations@britelift.com

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.