ACCESSIBLE TAXIS: Bedford reviews need for more wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles as pressure rises
Bedford Borough Council is grappling with the challenge of increasing accessible transport options for disabled people, particularly private hire vehicles.
A new report has revealed that while most respondents feel there are enough accessible taxis, concerns persist around the limited availability of wheelchair-friendly private hire vehicles.
The council currently licences 572 private hire vehicles, but only 24 are wheelchair accessible, representing a mere 4% of the fleet. The majority of these vehicles are dedicated to client transport routes, rather than standard private hire services. With the disabled population in the UK expected to grow, especially among the elderly, there is rising pressure to expand accessible services.
In line with updated guidance from the Department for Transport, Bedford Council is required to develop an inclusive service plan that addresses the specific needs of disabled passengers. The TAS Partnership’s survey indicated that while accessible taxis are seen as sufficient, fewer than half of respondents felt the same about private hire vehicles.
The council acknowledges that further work is required to improve accessibility, but there are concerns about the potential unintended consequences of mandating higher targets for accessible vehicles. Drivers may defer upgrading their vehicles, leading to an older fleet, if strict targets are imposed. Therefore, Bedford is exploring strategies to increase the number of accessible vehicles without diminishing overall service quality.
The council aims to develop a clear plan to address these concerns and will report further on its progress at a future committee meeting.
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