West Midlands taxis 

Taxi travel overview 

Many taxi companies in the West Midlands 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

T.O.A Taxis

toataxis.co.uk

A large taxi provider for disabled people in the Midlands. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles with ramps and straps to ensure that the wheelchair is held firmly in place. A step and swivel-out seat are also provided and easy grip handles.

Contact: 0121 427 8888

Get Minibus 

www.getminibus.co.uk

Solihull based, covering the Midlands and Warwickshire. Wheelchair-accessible minibuses and taxis – specially adapted for wheelchairs with ramps, grab handles and wheelchair restraint belts.

Contact: 07768 212 429 or 02476 402 543

Birmingham Taxis 

birminghamtaxis.co.uk

Wheelchair-accessible taxis. Services include airport transfers.

Contact: 0121 702 2000

Triple Twenty Taxis

www.triple20taxis.co.uk

Based in Dudley but providing services throughout the West Midlands and surrounding areas. Wheelchair-accessible taxis. Drivers will assist with wheelchair access and ensure that wheelchairs are safely secured.

Contact: 01384 20 20 20

Direct taxis, Solihull & Nuneaton

directtaxis.co.uk

Wheelchair-accessible taxis.

Contact: 0121 677 4444

TC Cars 

tccars.co.uk

Based in Birmingham with wheelchair-accessible taxis providing airport transfers and other trips. 

Contact: 0121 770 2000

Mobility Cabs Ltd

www.mobilitycabs.co.uk

Based in Wolverhampton with wheelchair-accessible cabs for medical and shopping trips, as well as airports and other destinations. The company specialises in driving people with physical disabilities as well as those with learning difficulties. One taxi is available with sensory lights.

Contact: 01902 472 601

Capability

cabability.co.uk

Stoke-on-Trent based but cover Staffordshire and the Midlands. Taxis are wheelchair accessible and vehicles are available with tailgate lifts, ramps, and hoists. All drivers have completed disability awareness training.

Contact: 01782 405093

Allens Taxis

www.allenstaxis.com

Based in Coventry with wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

Contact: 02476 555 555

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.