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More "purple plates" will be pulling up at the Island's public taxi ranks.
DVS have given licences to ten private hire taxi-cabs to start with but there are plans to make one in five taxi-cabs on the Island wheelchair friendly.
When they pick up a a public rank they will have to charge the same as any other public rank taxi.
The Minister for Infrastructure has proposed changes specifying what equipment taxi-cabs will need to fit to make them more accessible, like high visibility tape on door thresholds and handles to help the visually impaired and additional door straps to help customers lower themselves into seats or swivel cushions. All taxi-cabs will have to have this kind of equipment on board by January 2019.
The new purple plate holders now know how to properly support people they are driving around with disabilities but other drivers will also have to go on comprehensive accessibility training and customer care courses
Infrastructure Minister Eddie Noel said: “I think it is important that people who need accessible and wheelchair accessible taxis can get one when they need one. We are increasing the numbers available to enable this to happen.”
DVS is planning on setting up part-time taxi ranks which will be operational at peak times, late at night on weekends, to cater for the demand from those going home from pubs, restaurants and clubs. Any taxi-cab (rank or private hire) will be able to use these new part-time ranks.
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