Wheelchair users in Surrey have less than a one in five chance of hailing a wheelchair accessible taxi according to figures published by the area’s local authorities.
Currently there is a fleet of 1,436 but shockingly only 266 of these are wheelchair accessible.
This means that a wheelchair user has just a 19% chance of hailing down a suitable vehicle.
These figures do not relate to private hire vehicles, which are not subject to the same laws as black cabs.
Calls for Change
There have been calls to make all black cabs wheelchair accessible, a move that could transform the lives of disabled taxi users.
At a recent council meeting in Guildford for taxi drivers there were mixed views on the demand for wheelchair accessible black cabs.
However, wheelchair users in Surrey have supported the idea that more black cabs should be wheelchair accessible.
Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Fleets
Currently, out of 11 districts in Surrey, only one has a fully accessible fleet of black cabs.
Epsom and Ewell is the only district within the area that operates the wheelchair friendly fleet. In comparison, 48% of cabs in Guildford and 62% in Woking are wheelchair accessible taxis.
On average there is a 58% chance of a wheelchair passenger hailing a suitable taxi in England, according to figures from the Department of Transport.
There is no government issued standards for wheelchair accessible taxis, meaning that the local authorities are in charge of policies.
With a percentage well under the national average, should the rules be changed in Surrey? Let us know your views by clicking below.