PART ONE - TIMETABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION

This is the Government’s proposed timetable for implementing the taxi accessibility regulations:

The main aim of the taxi provisions of the Act is to improve accessibility for disabled people. Therefore the Government is proposing that the regulations should come into force for new vehicles on 1st January 2002. This gives vehicle manufacturers over four years notice in order for them to comply with the new requirements but also recognises that some vehicles which will meet the requirements with minor modification are available now.

The proposed date of January 2012 by which all taxis must be accessible gives owners of existing taxis which do not meet the regulations almost 15 years notice. This should be adequate time to ensure that existing vehicles will not require premature disposal. The Government would particularly welcome comments from consultees on whether this date is reasonable for taxi drivers, disabled people and vehicle manufacturers (See questionnaire A1 – A4).

Please note that no dates will be finalised until the Government has considered responses to this consultation document and a study into the economic effects of the regulations and their timing has been completed.