Part 4General provisions relating to passenger transport

Use of taxis and hire cars to provide local services

55Carrying of passengers in wheelchairs in vehicles providing local services

(1)

Section 36 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (c. 50) (carrying of passengers in wheelchairs) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (1)(b) for “taxi” substitute “ vehicle ”.

(3)

After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A)

This section also imposes duties on the driver of a designated vehicle other than a regulated taxi if—

(a)

the designated vehicle is being used to provide a local service (within the meaning of section 2 of the Transport Act 1985), and

(b)

a person falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) has indicated to the driver that he wishes to travel on the service.”.

(4)

In each of subsections (2), (3) and (4) for “taxi” (wherever occurring) substitute “ vehicle ”.

(5)

In subsection (5) after “a regulated taxi” insert “ or designated vehicle ”.

(6)

In subsection (6)—

(a)

after “at the time of the alleged offence” insert—

“(a)

in the case of a regulated taxi,”;

(b)

after “it was required to conform,” insert—

“(b)

in the case of a designated vehicle, the vehicle conformed to the accessibility requirements which applied to it,”;

(c)

for the word “taxi” (in the last place where it appears) substitute “ vehicle ”.

(7)

After subsection (9) insert—

“(10)

The driver of a designated vehicle is exempt from the duties imposed by this section if—

(a)

a certificate of exemption issued to him under this section is in force; and

(b)

he is carrying the certificate on the vehicle.

(11)

The driver of a designated vehicle who is exempt under subsection (10) must show the certificate, on request, to a person falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1).”.

(8)

After subsection (11) insert—

“(12)

In this section—

“designated vehicle” means a vehicle which appears on a list maintained under section 36A;

“licensing authority” has the meaning given by section 36A.”.