Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in Horley

What does the law say?

The Equality Act 2010 rightly stresses that cab drivers must help passengers to enter or leave the cab, either in their wheelchair or without it. They should also assist disabled customers with luggage, which we at Western Cars have always done for everyone anyway.

Taxi drivers are fined if they refuse to transport a disabled user, or if they try to charge someone with a disability above the standard fare. Additionally, they’re legally obliged not to discriminate against anyone with a disability – and they should make all ‘reasonable adjustments’ necessary to make journeys easier and more comfortable.

Finally, unless for some reason a driver has an exemption, they should not refuse to carry assistance or guide dogs in the vehicle.

What is a wheelchair accessible taxi?

In most cases, wheelchair accessible taxis are black cabs, minibuses or people carriers, with a ramp to lift the wheelchair into them (This is much quicker than transferring the passenger to a regular car seat and folding the wheelchair for the ride). Essentially, adapted cabs allow travellers with disabilities to remain in the position that best suits them.

At the same time, a wheelchair accessible taxi must be equipped to secure a wheelchair when it is moving, with seat or lap belts.

While adapted cabs are easier to find in urban areas, booking an accessible taxi may be harder in less built-up places – which is where we come in!

What we offer at Western Cars

At Western Cars, we take disability issues seriously, and stand ready to offer wheelchair-user customers whatever assistance they require.

• We follow the law on equality to the letter.
• We make sure our drivers have the right training to get wheelchair users in and out of a cab safely and comfortably.
• We test all our equipment regularly so that it’s always fit for purpose.

Wherever you need to be in the UK, we can get you there with one of our accessible taxis, but we specialise in airport runs. So make us your first port of call if you need a Gatwick Airport taxi transfer, for example. Let us take all the hassle out of an otherwise potentially stressful trip – we’ll make sure you make check-in in comfort and with plenty of time to spare.

We always have accessible cabs available, even at short notice, with space for wheelchairs, and equipped with ramps and adapted belts, whatever the job and however many of you are travelling.

If you’re a regular traveller in need of an adapted taxi, why not open a business account with us?

Ask us about wheelchair friendly taxis Horley today. Book online or give us a call on 01293 510510.