The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) has recently published its guidance around the provision of wheelchair accessible taxis for passengers with mobility issues in the UK, and has uncovered some concerning developments. It has been reported that despite Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) being a vital lifeline for people with mobility issues to be able to travel, there is a falling number of WAVS available to passengers, mainly due to the increase of private hire vehicles in both urban and rural areas. Here at Cab Direct we fully understand the importance that WAVs play in our society and offer a great range of wheelchair accessible taxis for you to choose – suitable for both hackney and private hire drivers.
Vital Lifeline
Black cabs and standard taxis are extremely popular methods of transport for wheelchair users because they are able to provide a door to door service. However there have been instances reported whereby taxi drivers fail to provide the extra assistance that may be needed for disabled passengers, and there have even been cases where taxi drivers have refused to pick up passengers who have assistance needs.
The most recent report published in August states “DPTAC believes that in the modern era a taxi or private hire service is not simply a matter of driving the passenger from A to B. The driver needs to take active steps to ensure that the passenger is safe and comfortable, and provide reasonable assistance to enable the passenger to use their service”.
Our range of black cabs and wheelchair accessible vehicles are specially built with the comfort and security of passengers in mind, with access to the vehicle made quick and smooth with our innovative ramp solutions and easy to use restraint systems.
Hackney Taxis
If you are looking for a wheelchair accessible hackney, then look no further. We have two taxis with full hackney specifications and a further four more suitable for private hire drivers.
We specialise in the design and manufacture of purpose-built black cabs, to offer our Ford ProCab™ and the popular Mercedes-Benz Vito Taxi. ProCab boasts a spacious passenger cabin and our very own EasyGlide™ access ramp that slides out from under the floor making it easy to transport wheelchair passengers. The Mercedes-Benz Vito Taxi has twin electric side steps and a unique Triclick™ ramp. Both vehicles have Lap & diagonal three-point seat belts and wheelchair restraints for safety.
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs)
The Peugeot Premier™ is one of our most affordable WAVs with a starting price of £20,495 OTR. You can choose from a short wheelbase to carry up to four passengers or opt for our long-wheelbase named Premier™ Plus. The Plus model gives you room for four passengers and a wheelchair passenger, or if you add tip and turn seats in the back it gives you the option to transport a further two passengers.
We also have two fabulous Ford models; the Journey™ is available in a SWB and LWB option and the MaxiCab™. Both Fords have their own unique, ramps to assist wheelchair users – specially designed to suit those vehicles. The Journey has space for up to 6 passengers while the MaxiCab is that bit bigger with room for up to eight!
Finally, we have the Kudos™ and it’s based on the classic Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life. Kudos™ is ideal if you want both a smart-looking ride and a fully accessible vehicle with room for 4 seated passengers and one wheelchair.
To find out more, please call the number at the top of the page or enquire online.