NEW rules that mean all hackney carriage taxis in South Gloucestershire must be wheelchair accessible have been confirmed by councillors.
The change has led to claims more drivers could quit and switch over to private hire vehicles, such as Uber.
From July 2025 all hackney carriages – which can be hailed in the street or from a rank – registered in the district will have to be accessible to people in wheelchairs.
South Gloucestershire Council has been considering the policy for years but repeatedly delayed the new rules, most recently due to a shortage of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Councillors on the regulatory committee finally voted through the changes in November.
Transport campaigner David Redgewell said: “Without accessibility, a driver would have to literally take my wheelchair to pieces and put it back together. It’s not acceptable.
“Local transport authorities should be making sure that the network is fully accessible.”
Councillors were told the new rules would accelerate the number of hackney carriage drivers switching over to driving private hire vehicles, which must be booked in advance and will not be subject to the new rule.
Bristol Parkway Taxis director Shashikumar Bhurton said: “The overall concern is there’s a lack of hackneys.”
The change was previously delayed in March 2023. A survey was promised to explore the demand for wheelchair-accessible vehicles in South Gloucestershire, but this hasn’t been done.
Council staff will report back on the impact of the changes after six months.