WHEELCHAIR WORRIES: London’s private hire fleet EIGHT TIMES less accessible than national PHV average

New government statistics on taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) accessibility have been released, highlighting significant disparities across regions in England and also between taxis and private hire vehicles (PHV).

In 2024, 11.5% of all licensed vehicles in England were wheelchair accessible. This proportion remains consistent with 2023, with 53.9% of taxis and only 2.2% of PHVs being wheelchair accessible.

Outside London, the West Midlands stands out, with many local authorities reporting that 30% or more of their fleets are wheelchair accessible. However, other regions show less consistency, with no clear geographic patterns for areas where less than 5% of vehicles are accessible.

In London, all 14,800 taxis meet Transport for London’s strict licensing policy, ensuring full wheelchair accessibility. By contrast, only 0.4% of London’s PHVs are wheelchair accessible, compared to 3.2% in the rest of England.

Major cities like Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester also boast fully accessible taxi fleets, reflecting urban trends where accessibility in taxis is higher.

Urban areas generally have better accessibility in taxis but lag behind in PHVs. Rural areas, on the other hand, show similar accessibility levels for both taxis and PHVs, indicating a more balanced but lower overall provision.

These statistics highlight the need for targeted policies to enhance vehicle accessibility, particularly in private hire services and rural areas.