Do you have any advice on travelling by taxi?
If you’re looking for a taxi or mini cab at the start or end of your journey, speak to station staff, they can assist you in hailing a taxi from directly outside the station.
Under Equality Act 2010 terms, licensed taxis, black cabs and private hire drivers cannot refuse to take a guide dog, although a driver can apply for an exemption if, for example, they are allergic to dogs.
When ordering a taxi or minicab, you may want to tell them that you have sight loss and whether you have a guide dog. It may be a good idea to check the cost of the journey in advance if you haven’t done it before. Let them know you may need the driver to knock on the door or press an intercom button when they arrive. Most companies will now send a text message once the driver is outside, so let them know if you can access text messages.
Let them know if you need guiding to the vehicle from your door. You may want to ask the driver to tell you exactly where they have parked and describe the surroundings if you are unfamiliar with the area. Once you have reached your destination, let the driver know if you need assistance getting to a front door or familiar point.
Smartphone taxi apps
There are many accessible taxi or ride share apps available. You can either use the location services on your smartphone or type in the location you wish to be picked up from. Apps available include:
- Uber - available in thousands of cities worldwide
- Bolt - available in Leicester, London, Milton Keynes and Peterborough
- Ola - available in London and other UK cities
- Free Now - available in London, Manchester, Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Edinburgh, Reading, Oxford and Brighton.
Please also see Can I get any travel discounts or cheaper fares?
