North Yorkshire Council consults with aim to tackle wheelchair accessible taxi shortage
Residents and taxi drivers in North Yorkshire are being invited to share their views on a consultation aimed at increasing the number of wheelchair accessible taxis across the county.
Research shows a shortage of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) in the region, with just 70 currently licensed. That equates to one WAV for every 9,000 residents. In contrast, the best-performing rural areas in the UK provide around one WAV for every 2,000 to 3,000 people. To match this level, North Yorkshire would need to license around 200 more WAVs.
Previous efforts by local licensing authorities to boost WAV numbers have seen little success. As a result, the council is exploring new options and is seeking public input on the most effective ways to expand accessibility.
As part of the consultation, people are also encouraged to comment on the draft Inclusive Service Plan (ISP). This plan aims to improve access for wheelchair users, assistance dog owners, and those with less visible disabilities when using public transport.
The council is also reviewing changes to its taxi and private hire licensing policy. This includes proposals to amend age limits for vehicles, introduce restricted private hire driver licences, reduce the frequency of driver medical assessments, and set new standards for minimum luggage space. Although these changes primarily affect the taxi trade, the consultation is open to all.
The consultation runs until Wednesday 30 April.
Cllr Greg White, North Yorkshire Council Executive Member for Licensing, said: “We recognise the difficulties that passengers who need accessible vehicles face daily. It can affect their mental health and leave them isolated, so we need to ensure the trade serves everybody, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or sex.
“We recognise that taxis should be accessible to all, and we need to strike a balance that supports users and is feasible for the trade to adopt.
“Although WAV provision is typically lower in rural authorities than in urban areas, we know that we can do better.
“I would urge as many taxi users as possible and people from the trade to share their views so we can form a policy which is welcomed by all.”
