06/12/2024
Support Fair and Inclusive Taxi Licensing Regulations in Conwy!
Dear Residents of Conwy,
We need your help to bring fairness and balance to our local taxi licensing system. While we fully support ensuring accessibility for wheelchair users, the current regulations are causing serious problems for drivers, businesses, and passengers alike. These rules mandate extremely expensive seven-seater wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) with side wheelchair access.
This solution, while intended to help wheelchair users, is counterproductive as it limits the number of WAV taxis available on the roads. The high cost and restrictive requirements discourage drivers from entering or staying in the trade, ultimately reducing accessibility for wheelchair users and creating significant challenges, including:
Drivers are struggling financially, often unable to replace their vehicles, leading to an increase in older, less safe cars on the roads.
Passengers are being underserved. Elderly and less mobile residents often struggle to use large vehicles, preferring smaller, safer cars.
The environment is suffering. Larger vehicles consume more fuel, release more emissions, and current regulations make it impossible to license eco-friendly electric taxis due to the side-access requirement.
Our petition outlines how these regulations are creating barriers and proposes solutions to create a fairer, more inclusive system. These include allowing rear-access WAVs, permitting smaller vehicles, and ensuring all businesses meet proportional WAV requirements.
We believe in a system that benefits everyone—wheelchair users, elderly passengers, drivers, and the environment.
Please read the petition below and sign to show your support. Your voice matters in helping us advocate for a safer, greener, and more equitable taxi system in Conwy. Together, we can make a difference!
Petition to Conwy Borough Council for Fair and Inclusive Taxi Licensing Regulations
