Written question WQ100903
- Asked by
- Gareth ThomasReform
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure that wheelchair users have adequate and consistent access to wheelchair-accessible taxis in all parts of Wales?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport (Mark Hooper)
Within Wales local authorities are responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, including the setting of local vehicle standards and accessibility requirements.
The Welsh Government has supported local authorities through the publication of guidance aimed at promoting greater consistency in licensing standards and practices across Wales.
Department for Transport statistics indicate that the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis and private hire vehicles has reduced across England and Wales in recent years. The Welsh Government continues to engage with UK Government officials, local authorities, the taxi and private hire vehicle sector, and organisations representing disabled passengers to better understand the challenges affecting the provision of wheelchair-accessible services and to identify potential solutions to improve the provision of licensed wheelchair accessible vehicles.