Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Middlesbrough fall by 80%
Council considers policy changes amid vehicle shortages
The number of wheelchair-accessible taxis in Middlesbrough has dramatically decreased from 150 to just 30 hackney carriages in the past six years, prompting discussions for policy adjustments.
The sharp 80% decline was highlighted at a Middlesbrough Council licensing committee meeting, where concerns were raised over the current limitations and age restrictions for licensed vehicles.
The council's licensing manager noted that the significant drop in wheelchair-accessible hackney carriages is recognised, with plans to reassess taxi licensing policies, including potentially removing age restrictions.
Recently, a taxi driver successfully extended the licence of their wheelchair-accessible vehicle by a year, backed by customer support and demonstrating the vehicle's good condition. The extension includes three vehicle tests throughout the year.
At the latest committee meeting on 24th August, the council explored options to replace current age limits with emission requirements, aiming to bolster the availability of wheelchair-accessible taxis.
Councillors agreed to allow officers to handle licence extensions for wheelchair-accessible taxis on a case-by-case basis to reduce administrative delays and support fleet accessibility during the policy review.
The intention is to provide flexibility, maintain accessible transport services for disabled passengers, and uphold public safety with stringent vehicle inspection and compliance checks.
Middlesbrough Council will continue reviewing its policies later this year to address the pressing shortage and ensure the availability of wheelchair-accessible transport in the region.