Black cab drivers in Carlisle are facing new licensing regulations relating to disability awareness. Under the regulations, set out by the City Council, cabbies will have to prove that they can assist disabled passengers in and out of vehicles and provide appropriate help to passengers with hearing or sight impairment.
Black Cab Responsibilities
The test will be a mandatory requirement for any new cab driver seeking to be granted a license and will be in addition to the existing tests based on the location of streets, public buildings, pubs, restaurants, villages, routes and tariffs that are already in operation. It will be designed to ensure that cabbies are aware of their responsibilities in relation to disabled passengers travelling with them.
A new two page document will be added to the current application pack, which will set out the appropriate support that should be offered to disabled passengers, such as asking whether they need any help entering and exiting black cabs or with using their seat belt. Applicants will also need to learn how to assist passengers who are visually impaired, blind, deaf or autistic and those who are wheelchair users or who have learning difficulties.
Tip Top Cabbies
Councillor David Morton, chairman of the licensing and regulatory panel, said: “I think that on the whole the cab drivers in Carlisle are tip-top when it comes to helping disabled passengers. But, like any organisation, there are a few that don’t meet the standards. This new cab test is about making sure that we provide as much support as we can to disabled people in our community.”
The councillor has first hand experience of the issue as he suffers from retinus pigmentosa, commonly known as tunnel vision, and requires the help of a guide dog. He added: “I use black cabs sometimes and normally find drivers very helpful.”