Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the number of refusals given to disabled passengers wishing to use private hire vehicles.

The Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) have a statutory duty to advise Ministers on the transport needs of disabled passengers, and we have discussed with them the challenges that disabled people face when using taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs).

Responsibility for enforcing the law on the carriage of wheelchair users and assistance dog owners rests with local licensing authorities however, and the Department does not collate data on service refusals.

Illegal discrimination against disabled passengers is entirely without justification and I urge authorities to take robust action against any taxi or PHV driver failing to fulfil their legal duty.