Wheelchair accessible vehicles
Wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles
Lancaster City Council is responsible for licensing taxis and private hire vehicles which operate within the borough. We ensure that a proportion of these vehicles are constructed and equipped to carry passengers in wheelchairs.
This page contains details for licensed taxis, private hire vehicles and private hire operators who are able to provide licensed wheelchair accessible vehicles for pre booked journeys.
We will update this list periodically with any revisions.
Please note that inclusion on this list does not imply any recommendation or endorsement by the council, nor can individuals and companies included be compelled to accept every booking offered to them.
What is the difference between taxis (hackney carriages) and private hire vehicles?
Licensed hackney carriages (HC) can wait on ranks, be flagged down in the street if not already hired or be pre-booked. All hackney carriages are fitted with a meter which calculates the fare for the journey. Hackney carriages have a roof sign.
- Drivers cannot charge extra for carrying a passenger in a wheelchair.
Licensed private hire vehicles (PHV) must be pre-booked through a licensed operator. Fares for private hire vehicles can be agreed when the journey is booked.
All vehicles licensed by Lancaster City Council have a licence plate on the rear of the vehicle with an expiry date, HC or PHV number and the Lancaster City Council logo. Private hire vehicles also have a front plate stating the PHV number.
- All licensed vehicles have door signs on the front driver and passenger doors
- Hackney Carriages have blue door signs. Private hire vehicles have yellow door signs
- Hackney Carriages have a top sign that is illuminated when they are available for hire
- Drivers will wear an official ID badge issued by this authority and a copy of the rules and regulations must be carried in all licensed vehicles
- Vehicles are inspected and tested by the council vehicle maintenance unit
Drivers are re-licensed every three years and checks are made of their driving entitlement, criminal convictions, and medical suitability. A medical is provided to state the driver meets group 2 DVLA standards by a qualified medical practitioner.
Wheelchair accessible taxis
The following proprietors of the licensed wheelchair accessible hackney carriages (ordered by licence number) have given permission to include their contact details below to arrange a pre-booked journey.
| Licence number | Proprietor | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
|
HV333 |
Jamie Diamond |
01524 32090/35666 |
|
HV901 |
John Aldred |
01524 848848 |
|
HV334 |
Calvert Davies |
01524 424424 |
|
HV338 |
Mark Shannon |
01524 848848 |
|
HV387 |
Dean Hines |
01524 848848 |
|
HV391 |
Warren Drake |
01524 424424 |
|
HV392 |
Wayne Taylor |
01524 848848 |
|
HV393 |
Jackie Dixon |
01524 424424 |
|
HV394 |
Andrew Smith |
01524 424424 |
|
HV395 |
Muhammad Afzal |
01524 848848 |
|
HV900 and HV319 |
Shane Walker |
01524 848848 |
|
HV902 |
David Cornforth |
01524 848848 |
|
HV903 |
Matthew Hodgson |
01524 424424 |
|
HV905 |
Gary Hillman |
01524 848848 |
Private Hire Operators
The following licensed private hire operators (listed in alphabetical order) have wheelchair accessible vehicles in their fleet available for pre-booked journeys only.
| Private hire operator | Address | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| 32090 | Church Street Lancaster | 01524 32090 |
| 848848 | Peddar Street Morecambe | 01524 848848 |
| Coastal Taxis | Queen Street Morecambe | 01524 424424 |
| Diamond Taxis | Lancaster | 07395 324 757 |
| Transport Solutions | Carnforth |
07557 362973 |
| Eden Private Hire Ltd | Heysham | 01524 420000 |
Customer feedback
We are aware that some members of the public have been frustrated when trying to book a suitable wheelchair accessible taxi. As the licensing authority for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, we work closely with the trade and wish to help minimise inequality, and help ensure the best possible service is provided to all. However, we also recognise that taxi operators and drivers are independent businesses and therefore are not controlled by the council.
We would welcome your feedback if you wish to share your experiences, good or bad, when using local taxi services.
If you would like to contact us, you can do so by contacting the licensing department by the means below:
- Email: licensing@lancaster.gov.uk
- In writing: Licensing Department, Morecambe Town Hall, Marine Road East, Morecambe, LA4 5AF
- Telephone: 01524 582033
Last updated: 26 April 2024