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News

More wheelchair accessible taxis for Poole

In response to a request from the taxi trade the Borough of Poole will consider whether to increase the number of taxi plates to encourage more wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

The number of Hackney Carriage plates issued by the Council has been limited to 67. These vehicles, which operate from the taxi ranks and can be ‘hailed’ in the street, are mainly saloon-type cars and cannot be used by people unable to transfer from their wheelchairs and with other categories of disability.

The Planning and Transportation Committee will consider on Thursday 1 October whether to increase the number of taxi plates by 3. However, these additional licences will only be made available to operators of vehicles constructed or adapted to carry wheelchairs.

Chairman of the Borough of Poole’s Planning & Transportation Committee, Cllr Jeff Allen, said: "There is a shortage of accessible taxis in the Borough and the Council wants to encourage more use of this type of vehicle.

"Disabled people will find it easier to book a taxi and will be more likely to find an accessible vehicle at the taxi ranks. These vehicles are more expensive to operate but provide an invaluable service in the community."

The Council will also be considering other taxi matters such as introducing a dress code for drivers, a proposed new rank in North Street and increasing the vehicle age limit from 6 years to 10.



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John McVey, Highways and Transportation: 01202 262010