1-15 of 15 results for subject:Taxis
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Does the Secretary of State share my concern that in response to a survey by the Guide Dogs charity, 42% of assistance dog owners reported being refused access to taxis and minicabs because of their dogs. What is he going to do in practice to ensure that all drivers of taxis and minicabs receive disability equality training?
Does the Secretary of State share my concern that in response to a survey by the Guide Dogs charity, 42% of assistance dog owners reported being refused access to taxis and minicabs because of their dogs. What is he going to do in practice to ensure that all drivers of taxis and minicabs receive disability equality training?
I share the hon. Gentleman’s frustration, but that is actually already illegal. I am working with a number of charities, including Guide Dogs, to ensure they can complain effectively and that the local authorities handing out licences are far more diligent about who those licences go to. As I mentioned earlier, once we are able to put together a national database it will be a lot easier to stop people who have already broken the law from getting licences.
I share the hon. Gentleman’s frustration, but that is actually already illegal. I am working with a number of charities, including Guide Dogs, to ensure they can complain effectively and that the local authorities handing out licences are far more diligent about who those licences go to. As I mentioned earlier, once we are able to put together a national database it will be a lot easier to stop people who have already broken the law from getting licences.
I share the hon. Gentleman’s frustration, but that is actually already illegal. I am working with a number of charities, including Guide Dogs, to ensure they can complain effectively and that the local authorities handing out licences are far more diligent about who those licences go to. As I mentioned earlier, once we are able to put together a national database it will be a lot easier to stop people who have already broken the law from getting licences.
Does the Secretary of State share my concern that in response to a survey by the Guide Dogs charity, 42% of assistance dog owners reported being refused access to taxis and minicabs because of their dogs. What is he going to do in practice to ensure that all drivers of taxis and minicabs receive disability equality training?
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to prevent taxi drivers from refusing to take passengers with guide dogs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to prevent taxi drivers from refusing to take passengers with guide dogs.
Sections 168 and 170 of the Equality Act 2010 already require taxi and PHV drivers to accept passengers accompanied by assistance dogs without charging them extra. The Government expects drivers to comply with the law and encourages local licensing authorities to take robust action against those unwilling to do so. Drivers convicted of a relevant offence face fines of up to £1000.
The Government is considering what further action might be required to eliminate illegal discrimination against assistance dog owners, and has accepted the recommendation of the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and PHV licensing that drivers should be required to complete disability awareness training through the introduction of National Minimum Standards. We will bring forward legislation when Parliamentary time permits.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of legislating to make it illegal for taxis and private hire vehicles to turn away guide dogs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of legislating to make it illegal for taxis and private hire vehicles to turn away guide dogs.
Sections 168 and 170 of the Equality Act 2010 already require drivers of taxis and PHVs to accept passengers accompanied by assistance dogs without charging them extra.
The Government expects drivers to comply with the law and encourages local licensing authorities to take robust action against those unwilling to do so.
Drivers convicted of a relevant offence face fines of up to £1000.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the Government will publish a timeframe for the introduction of legislation to address discrimination against guide dog owners using taxis.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the Government will publish a timeframe for the introduction of legislation to address discrimination against guide dog owners using taxis.
It is already illegal for a taxi or private hire driver to refuse carriage to a passenger on the grounds that they are accompanied by an assistance dog. Responsibility for ensuring that drivers understand their legal duties, and for taking action against those alleged to have acted discriminatorily, rests with local licensing authorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many complaints his Department has received in each of the last five years on mini cab drivers refusing service to customers with guide dogs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many complaints his Department has received in each of the last five years on mini cab drivers refusing service to customers with guide dogs.
Responsibility for investigating alleged instances of illegal discrimination by taxi and private hire drivers, and for taking further action where appropriate, rests with respective local licensing authorities, and the Government does not collate statistics on the occurrence of individual incidents.
We plan to undertake research to understand why some drivers continue to refuse passengers with assistance dogs, and what further steps could be taken to eliminate such unacceptable behaviour.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Government plans to respond to the recommendations on tackling discrimination against guide dog owners using taxis in the September 2018 report of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and PHV Licensing.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Government plans to respond to the recommendations on tackling discrimination against guide dog owners using taxis in the September 2018 report of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and PHV Licensing.
The Government responded to the report of the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing on 12th February. The response can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/government-response-and-consultation-on-taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-licensing
As the response sets out, disability awareness training can provide taxi and PHV drivers with the skills and knowledge to assist disabled passengers appropriately, and the Government supports licensing authorities which require all drivers to complete it. When legislative time is available, the Government will reflect this requirement in National Minimum Standards.
In the meantime, the Government committed in its 2018 Inclusive Transport Strategy to undertake research to understand why some drivers continue to refuse passengers with assistance dogs, and what measures are available to challenge such unacceptable behaviour.
The Minister will be aware that it is illegal for a taxi not to collect someone with a guide dog, yet 42% of taxis still refuse to do this. Will the Government please bring in strict new guidelines to raise awareness throughout the taxi and minicab industry?
The Minister will be aware that it is illegal for a taxi not to collect someone with a guide dog, yet 42% of taxis still refuse to do this. Will the Government please bring in strict new guidelines to raise awareness throughout the taxi and minicab industry?
My hon. Friend raises an important issue. For over a decade it has been illegal for taxi and private hire drivers to refuse assistance dogs, and I am clear that they must comply with the law. We cannot risk lowering people’s confidence and ability to travel independently. Licensing authorities have the power to stop this happening by training drivers to understand their duties and by prosecuting them when they fail to comply. We are considering the recommendations mentioned by my hon. Friend and will publish a response in due course.
My hon. Friend raises an important issue. For over a decade it has been illegal for taxi and private hire drivers to refuse assistance dogs, and I am clear that they must comply with the law. We cannot risk lowering people’s confidence and ability to travel independently. Licensing authorities have the power to stop this happening by training drivers to understand their duties and by prosecuting them when they fail to comply. We are considering the recommendations mentioned by my hon. Friend and will publish a response in due course.
My hon. Friend raises an important issue. For over a decade it has been illegal for taxi and private hire drivers to refuse assistance dogs, and I am clear that they must comply with the law. We cannot risk lowering people’s confidence and ability to travel independently. Licensing authorities have the power to stop this happening by training drivers to understand their duties and by prosecuting them when they fail to comply. We are considering the recommendations mentioned by my hon. Friend and will publish a response in due course.
The Minister will be aware that it is illegal for a taxi not to collect someone with a guide dog, yet 42% of taxis still refuse to do this. Will the Government please bring in strict new guidelines to raise awareness throughout the taxi and minicab industry?
That this House expresses concern that guide dog owners are being refused access to taxis; recognises that there should be no barriers to blind and disabled people accessing services, forms of transport and buildings; further recognises that guide dogs play an invaluable role in assisting people with sight difficulties in their day to day activities; notes that three out of four guide dog owners have been refused access to taxis, hotels and GP practices in a one year period according to figures from Guide Dogs UK; understands that refusals to taxis and minicabs are the most common; and calls on the Government to ensure that all taxi and minicab drivers undertake disability equality training so that no guide dog owners are refused access anywhere based on their disability again.
That this House expresses concern that guide dog owners are being refused access to taxis; recognises that there should be no barriers to blind and disabled people accessing services, forms of transport and buildings; further recognises that guide dogs play an invaluable role in assisting people with sight difficulties in...
With the leave of the House, I wish to thank the House for the opportunity to discuss this important inclusive transport strategy. The debate has been good natured, and both sides of the House clearly agree that the strategy is a positive and ambitious programme, but of course there is...
With the leave of the House, I wish to thank the House for the opportunity to discuss this important inclusive transport strategy. The debate has been good natured, and both sides of the House clearly agree that the strategy is a positive and ambitious programme, but of course there is...
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the fines imposed on taxi drivers and private hire vehicle owners which refuse access to guide dog owners fully reflects the significance of the effect on those owners of the offence committed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the fines imposed on taxi drivers and private hire vehicle owners which refuse access to guide dog owners fully reflects the significance of the effect on those owners of the offence committed.
Assistance dogs play a crucial role in enabling their owners to live independently, safely and with dignity, and it is right that the penalties for refusing their carriage in a taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) reflect this.
Taxi and PHV drivers convicted of illegally refusing the carriage of assistance dogs already face fines of up to £1,000 in addition to costs, and may also have their license suspended or revoked by the respective local licensing authority.
We know however that assistance dog owners still face discrimination when using taxi and PHV services, and plan to investigate why this happens, and what Government and other bodies can do to prevent such unacceptable behaviour.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department monitors the incidence of refusals to allow access to owners of assistance guide dogs by taxis, private hire vehicles and other transport-related services; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department monitors the incidence of refusals to allow access to owners of assistance guide dogs by taxis, private hire vehicles and other transport-related services; and if he will make a statement.
It is illegal for drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) to refuse the carriage of an assistance dog or to charge their owner extra.
Responsibility for investigating and, where appropriate, prosecuting drivers alleged to have refused an assistance dog illegally rests with local licensing authorities, and we encourage them to take effective action to eliminate such unacceptable behaviour.
We do not currently collect statistics on refusal incidents on board local public transport services.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Taxis) (Carrying of Guide Dogs etc) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Private Hire Vehicles) (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 to enable notices...
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Taxis) (Carrying of Guide Dogs etc) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Private Hire Vehicles) (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 to enable notices...
Sections 68 and 70 of the Equality Act 2010 confirm the right of assistance dog owners to travel by taxi or private hire vehicle free from the fear of discrimination.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Taxis) (Carrying of Guide Dogs etc) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Private Hire Vehicles) (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 specify the form of exemption notices displayed by taxsi and private hire vehicle drivers who are medically unfit to fulfil the related duties.
I understand that it can be difficult for visually impaired people to identify genuine exemption notices presented to them, and officials have discussed with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association alternative options, including the provision by licensing authorities of an additional non-statutory notice in Braille and large print.
We currently have no plans to amend Regulations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to prevent taxi drivers from refusing to carry passengers with guide dogs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to prevent taxi drivers from refusing to carry passengers with guide dogs.
It is unacceptable that drivers continue to refuse assistance dogs and I strongly encourage licensing authorities to take robust action against those who are unwilling to comply. Under the Equality Act 2010 it is illegal for the driver of a taxi or Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) to refuse to carry an assistance dog unless they hold a medical exemption certificate issued by the local licensing authority.
As part of the draft Accessibility Action Plan which is currently subject to a public consultation, we have committed to strengthen the best practice guidance on the provision of driver training, and what needs to be done to prevent refusals.