Disabled residents 'let down' claim over new rules in North Yorkshire on accessible transport
A Harrogate-based charity is warning that North Yorkshire’s new taxi licensing policy will fail to address a "critical shortage" of wheelchair-accessible taxis.
Disability Action Yorkshire) and the North Yorkshire Disability Forum have expressed deep concern after a decision by North Yorkshire Council’s Executive Committee that all new and replacement taxis must be either be zero-emission, hybrid electric, or wheelchair accessible.
Based at Hornbeam Park Oval in Harrogate, Disability Action Yorkshire argues that, by treating environmental standards and accessibility as a choice rather than a joint requirement, the council is incentivising the trade to continue opting for non-accessible saloon cars.
Jackie Snape, Chief Executive of Disability Action Yorkshire, said: "This decision is about whether disabled residents will have the same practical access to taxi services as everyone else.
"The council has treated accessibility and environmental progress as competing options rather than priorities that should move forward together.
"The council has missed a vital opportunity to advance equality and ensure a fair service for all residents."
North Yorkshire’s record on the issue has been under question in recent years.
Currently, the county has just one wheelchair-accessible taxi for every 10,250 people, compared to a national rural average of one per 8,150.
Disability Action Yorkshire is also highlighting figures which show that the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis in the region dropped from 67 to 60 in the last year, despite an overall increase in the taxi fleet.
And it’s not alone in its concern over the state of play over wheelchair-accessible taxis.
The North Yorkshire Disability Forum, a strategic partnership that brings together disabled people, carers and voluntary organisations from across the county, claims that North Yorkshire Council’s new approach means it has fallen short of its Public Sector Equality Duty.
Ian Lawson, Chair of the NYDF Accessible Transport Group, said: "To believe the shortage of wheelchair taxis will disappear under this policy is wishful thinking.
"Without a mandate requiring new licences to be wheelchair accessible, the trade will continue to choose non-accessible vehicles”
Disability Action Yorkshire and NYDF are now calling on the council to reconsider its decision.
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