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Charging for wheelchairs and private hire.
http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17275		 Page 1 of 4
Author:  thelodger [ Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Charging for wheelchairs and private hire.
One of the biggest PH company in our area, charge £2 extra for carrying a wheelchair customer, say the regular fare is £5, they charge wheelchair customers £7, this still may well be below council hack meter price, are PH companies allowed to do this?

Surely there is some kind of disability discrimination laws that stop it? This company argue that as its a private transaction between them and the customer they can charge what they like.
Author:  mancityfan [ Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
are PH companies allowed to do this?



no
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yes
Author:  Sussex [ Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charging for wheelchairs and private hire.
thelodger wrote:
One of the biggest PH company in our area, charge £2 extra for carrying a wheelchair customer, say the regular fare is £5, they charge wheelchair customers £7, this still may well be below council hack meter price, are PH companies allowed to do this?

Surely there is some kind of disability discrimination laws that stop it? This company argue that as its a private transaction between them and the customer they can change what they like.

I think the above is illegal, but it's not as straight forward as it could be.

As the council don't set PH rate, there is no upper limit. If they say it will cost x for the hire of a WAV, and x is more than the cost of hiring a non WAV, then is that illegal, or not? :?

They are clearly charging more, but more than what? :?
Author:  Dusty Bin [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 4:41 am ]
Post subject: 
Doesn't the legislation say that people shouldn't be subject to an additional charge arising only because they're disabled?

I mean, if a shop installed a wheelchair ramp to comply with the DDA and then charged those with a wheelchair more than normal customers in order that the shop could recoup the cost of the ramp then that would be illegal, innit?
Author:  gusmac [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:42 am ]
Post subject: 
IMHO illegal
Author:  Sussex [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 7:21 am ]
Post subject: 
Dusty Bin wrote:
Doesn't the legislation say that people shouldn't be subject to an additional charge arising only because they're disabled?

Indeed, but unless you request a price (PH) for a WAV vehicle that doesn't take a WAV, and compare that with one that will, then I'm still not sure it's illegal.

I suspect in many PH offices if a punter rings up for a WAV, they will be quoted the same price whether an actual WAV punter gets in or not. That's not discriminatory.

However if a firm had a 100% WAV fleet then it would be discriminatory.
Author:  Dusty Bin [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 8:40 am ]
Post subject: 
Are you saying that if a PH firm charges £5 for a saloon but £8 for an 8-seater which just happens to be a WAV then that would be OK in terms of the DDA because if a party of eight requested the WAV then it would be the same price as the single wheelchair occupant?

Perhaps the more relevant comparison would be the cost of the saloon, because the wheelchair occupant just needs the WAV because they're disabled, not because they need eight seats.

By the same token, an HC tariff card isn't going to include an extra charge for wheelchairs, whereas it might include one for larger groups in the same large vehicle.
Author:  Brummie Cabbie [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 8:54 am ]
Post subject: 
I though that Private Hire Operators;

1. Quote a price for a job.
2. Do not have to abide by any licensing authority tariff.
3. Do not have to accept any job and can decline service.
4. Are not bound by the WAV legislation in The Equality Act 2010.
Author:  toots [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
One of the biggest PH company in our area, charge £2 extra for carrying a wheelchair customer, say the regular fare is £5, they charge wheelchair customers £7


What happens if the wheelchair customer uses a saloon vehicle and the wheelchair is stowed in the boot? I think it is presumptuous to assume that the wheelchair customer needs a WAV
Author:  Sussex [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Dusty Bin wrote:
Are you saying that if a PH firm charges £5 for a saloon but £8 for an 8-seater which just happens to be a WAV then that would be OK in terms of the DDA because if a party of eight requested the WAV then it would be the same price as the single wheelchair occupant?

Perhaps the more relevant comparison would be the cost of the saloon, because the wheelchair occupant just needs the WAV because they're disabled, not because they need eight seats.

By the same token, an HC tariff card isn't going to include an extra charge for wheelchairs, whereas it might include one for larger groups in the same large vehicle.

I'm saying if someone rings up for a price of a vehicle that takes wheelchairs they will be given a price for it, in the same way someone will be quoted for a multi-seater or estate car job.

I do see your point, and agree with it, but it's IMO not as straightforward as you appear to be saying.

Say someone had a breathing problem and needed an estate car to keep their oxygen tank in, would it be wrong to quote them the extra that some firms charge for an estate car request?
Author:  Sussex [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Brummie Cabbie wrote:
4. Are not bound by the WAV legislation in The Equality Act 2010.

Nor for that matter are any hackneys yet bound.
Author:  captain cab [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've heard of a few private hire firms doing this in the North East, I suspect the lack of action by the local authorities says much of the lawful position in respect of licensing.

You only see the cases being publicized about guide dogs being refused in licensed vehicles to confirm the above view.

I do wonder why the likes of the equalities people haven't taken up the mantle though.

CC
Author:  Nidge [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Charging for wheelchairs and private hire.
thelodger wrote:
One of the biggest PH company in our area, charge £2 extra for carrying a wheelchair customer, say the regular fare is £5, they charge wheelchair customers £7, this still may well be below council hack meter price, are PH companies allowed to do this?

Surely there is some kind of disability discrimination laws that stop it? This company argue that as its a private transaction between them and the customer they can charge what they like.


Yes they are. There's a PH firm round here who charge what they want, when the Council have been told about this thye say, they dont come under the Councils pricing policy.
Author:  Brummie Cabbie [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sussex wrote:
Brummie Cabbie wrote:
4. Are not bound by the WAV legislation in The Equality Act 2010.

Nor for that matter are any hackneys yet bound.

They are in Brum.

We've had to had WAVs since the year 2000.
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