Muscular Dystrophy UK Accuses Taxi Firms of “Discriminatory” Price Hikes For Wheelchair Passengers

A UK charity has accused taxi firms of “discriminatory” price differences for wheelchair users requiring transportation.

Muscular Dystrophy UK recently claimed that taxi firms were quoted prices for a hire of up to five times more than an able-bodied caller. Nirav Shah, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, called four different taxi firms in Nottingham and was quoted higher prices than an able-bodied passenger on every enquiry. In one of the four enquiries, a distance of 2.5 miles was quoted as being £3-4 for an able-bodied passenger, while the cost for a wheelchair user was £15.

After being “disheartened and disappointed” with his findings, Mr Shah said that this is very much in line with experiences he’s had in the past: “I’ve had more bad experiences than good. I’ve had drivers turn up and refuse to take me, despite the office being told I’m in a wheelchair.

Disabled people must have the same access to transport services that others take for granted.

“I’ve had taxis in a rank – massive disabled sticker in the back – just drive past me. The driver just didn’t want to get out of his cab.”

Nic Bungay from Muscular Dystrophy UK said: “This is unacceptable. For many disabled people who cannot use public transport taxis are not a luxury. It is the only way to get from A to B: “We feel this is discriminatory and it risks leaving disabled people out of pocket.”

The Equalities Act was altered in April 2017, which prevented taxi firms from charging disabled people extra. A fine of £1,000 would be handed out to anyone who didn’t adhere to the Act.

Despite this Act being put into place, local authorities must make a formal list of wheelchair accessible taxis. Nottingham City Council believed it had compiled a list of taxis, but the Department of Transport said that it didn’t meet the criteria.

A spokesperson for the council said: “This doesn’t alter the fact that we will take action when incidents are reported to us.

“We launched a Taxi Strategy last year which includes the introduction of the Driver Improvement Penalty Point Scheme which penalises poor driver behaviour such as this.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Disabled people must have the same access to transport services that others take for granted.

“It is unacceptable that a minority of taxi and private hire vehicle drivers continue to discriminate against wheelchair users.”