The “most significant change” to taxi rules in over a decade could see drivers fined £1000.
The rule changes are aimed at making taxis and hackney cabs more accessible to people with disabilities.
As part of the changes, drivers could be fined up to £1000 if they do not provide “reasonable mobility assistance” to pre-booked passengers with disabilities – unless the driver has an exemption.
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Similar rules apply to hackney cab drivers, who “must also comply with the duty to provide reasonable assistance unless that driver holds an exemption.”
According to a report produced ahead of a meeting of Knowsley Council’s licensing committee, which took place at Huyton municipal buildings last night, all of Knowsley’s hackney cabs are wheelchair accessible.
The rule change, which came into effect in June was described by officers as: “the most significant change in taxi and private hire vehicle accessibility legislation in 12 years.”
Discussing the legislative changes, Consumer protection manager Alan Shone said the law goes further than previous Equality Act legislation.
He said that there had been some exclusions in previous legislation, but according to the new rules: “It means all operators are subject to the duties under the Equality Act regardless of whether or not the vehicle is designated as wheelchair accessible.”
Drivers can apply for an exemption certificate if their own physical condition prevents them from providing mobility assistance duties. Drivers will also not be able to charge disabled passengers extra.
It’s not the only significant change which came into effect this year.
Since April, private hire drivers have had to complete and provide a tax code to the Licensing Authority before a licence can be renewed.
As part of this a tax check is carried out to ensure the person receiving the license is registered to pay tax in the UK.
Without the code, which is only valid for 120 days before needing to be re-checked, local authorities will not be able to issue license renewals.
Cllr Crispin Evans asked whether there would be a system to monitor whether there were any complaints around this.
Mr Shone said: “We are already ahead of the game but as far as complaints are concerned we do have things in place with all operators so if a disabled person has been refused access to a vehicle – there has been times when people haven’t allowed guide dogs – we will investigate that.”
He said the council were currently proceeding with two cases in this respect, adding “our procedure is already robust.”
Cllr Morgan said he was interested in the private hire operators being required to accept bookings. He said: “what is defined as a suitable vehicle available? I mean I’ve seen private hire vehicles around the road that would barely take three passengers?”
Mr Shone said: “Our criteria is you need to have four doors and be able to take four passengers.”
He added: “As far as our vehicles are concerned as well as any other authority we need to ensure they’re big enough to fit four passengers in.”
Head of risk and resilience Brian Toolan said “the onus is on them [the operator] by law” if there are suitable vehicles available.
He said: “We have a record of all vehicles we hold and will publish a list of all vehicles which are accessible and we will be able to check then.
“We can even check against operators so we know which operators have accessible vehicles.”
Cllr Morgan asked whether it would be the driver or operator responsible if an incorrect vehicle was sent and Mr Toolan confirmed it would be the operator.
Mr Shone said the passenger had a responsibility to notify the company it needed an accessible vehicle as well.
He said: “We need to get the passengers aware” to let operators know if using an app, for example.
Cllr Evans asked: “How is that communication to the passengers being communicated? How would I know as Joe Public to do that?”
Mr Toolan said: “To be honest, we’re reliant on individuals.”
Cllr Evans said the change of law could be communicated so people can be supported if things go wrong.
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