Taxi drivers are joining forces to fight new legislation they fear could cripple the industry.
Most of Brighton and Hove’s 500-plus hackney licence holders are holding an emergency meeting to highlight what they think are unintended yet damaging consequences of the Equality Act.
There are concerns that the law change, rushed through in the “wash-up” period of Parliament just before the general election, could enforce a minimumquota of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Drivers fear they could go out of business if they have to stump up for new vehicles, which cost in excess of £20,000 each.
The rules would only apply to local authority areas such as Brighton, Mid Sussex and Hastings, where the taxi industry is still regulated by councils.
Although no details about the quota have been decided, a 50% minimum has been mooted in the taxi trade press.
Drivers point to Swindon, where a decision to have 100% wheelchair-accessible taxis led to drivers swapping to the unaffected private hire market, leaving just 80 hackney carriages for the whole town.
They also point out disabled people who are not wheelchair users – such as the partiallysighted and elderly – can find it difficult to negotiate the high van-style vehicles that are used.
John Streeter, vice-chairman of Brighton & Hove Streamline Taxis, the city’s largest cab firm, said: “Companies currently have a mixed fleet policy to accommodate every individual and their personal needs.
“Ministers may think they are just helping disabled people by making these sweeping changes, but unless they think things through clearly they risk severely damaging the trade and penalising those of the partially disabled who prefer a saloon.”
Drivers will meet at Hove dog track next Tuesday to talk about the issue. Brighton and Hove City Council licensing committee is due to discuss it next Thursday.
A spokeswoman said the council was working closely with the taxi trade and disabled people to develop a policy that was “economically viable” and provided the best practicable service.
She said: “The taxi trade has worked with the council on providing a good quality service for disabled people for some time now and we are committed to continuing that partnership.”
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