Commenting in response to the announcement that the government will commence sections 165 and 167 of the Equality Act 2010 this year, which will impose duties on taxis to accept and assist wheelchair users without extra cost, Lord Holmes of Richmond, EHRC Disability Commissioner said:

“We welcome today’s announcement, which is long overdue, and will finally give disabled people the right to travel by taxi on an equal basis.

While this is a step in the right direction, there are still many provisions of the Equality Act which have not been brought into force. The Commission will continue to press government to fulfil its responsibility to remove the barriers which hold disabled people back, and place accessibility at the top of its agenda.”

What does it mean by a 'taxi?'

The word "Taxi" means any Licensed Hackney Carriage,Which normally having seating for between 5 to 8 passengers for able bodied customers,but also have ramps for full accessibility of a Disabled person to be able to travel in safely while still in a wheelchair,or Mobility Scooter,whereas a Private Hire vehicle is often called a "Mini-Cab",and cannot have the word Taxi visible anywhere on the outside of the vehicle,according to many Local Council by-laws,also a "Hackney Taxi" can be legally flagged down,within their local boundaries without being pre-booked beforehand,or whilst parked on a designated Hackney rank,but any Private Hire vehicle MUST be pre-booked by phone through an office,and then the operator designates the job to the nearest available vehicle to the passengers,by means of a 2-way radio system.Or by a more modern system of vehicles using a PDA system,as in some Hackney Taxi or Private Hire firms.

Regarding driver conveying guide/assistance dogs in vehicles.

HC drivers are only permitted to carry animals belonging to their passengers and only
when such an animal is accompanied by the owner. If drivers do carry an animal then it must be carried in the rear of the vehicle with the exception of assistance dogs. Drivers are NOT obliged to carry an animal that is not an assistance dog. HC drivers have a legal obligation to carry a passenger who is accompanied by their own assistance dog.
The HC driver or Private Hire driver must carry a Valid Medical Certificate,from a registered doctor,which shows that they CANNOT carry any animals in their vehicles,and they must show this to any customer who has an animal with them at the time of hiring the vehicle.
If any driver refuses a guide/assistance dog,then they could have their licence revoked,as it is showing discrimination of the disabled person with the dog.

Thanks.