Residents invited to shape more accessible taxis across the Bay
Torbay Council has begun a public consultation on the accessibility of local taxi and private hire services, with the findings set to shape a new Inclusive Service Plan (ISP) and inform whether the Bay still has the right number of licensed hackney carriages. The council’s Taxi Licensing team is seeking feedback from people who rely on accessible transport, including those with visible and less visible disabilities, to build a clearer picture of how well current services meet local needs.
What the consultation covers
The council says it wants to understand everyday experiences of using cabs in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, especially from people who face additional barriers when travelling. Input will be used to identify where services work well and where practical improvements could make a difference.
- Experiences from wheelchair users and those needing wheelchair-accessible vehicles
- Views from assistance dog owners
- Feedback from people with less visible disabilities, including autism and mental health conditions
- Examples of barriers encountered and where services are enabling confident, independent travel
The council’s aim is to ensure everyone can travel with confidence and without facing additional barriers or costs because of a disability, aligning the local taxi offer more closely with day-to-day needs across the Bay.
Cap on hackney carriages under review
Alongside the accessibility work, the consultation feeds into an unmet demand survey that will assess whether Torbay’s existing cap on hackney carriage licences remains appropriate. At present, the number of licensed hackney carriage vehicles is limited to 189. Evidence gathered through the survey will help determine if that figure still reflects demand and availability at different times and locations.
| Policy area | Current position |
|---|---|
| Hackney carriage cap | 189 vehicles |
| Scope of review | Unmet demand and accessibility across Torbay |
| Plan in development | Inclusive Service Plan (ISP) |
While many licensing authorities set policies around wheelchair-accessible vehicles and equality duties, the council notes that dedicated Inclusive Service Plans are increasingly used to benchmark provision against real-world demand and to pinpoint geographic or service gaps.
Why this matters for Torbay
Accessible, reliable taxis and private hire vehicles are a key part of how people get to work, healthcare, education and social activities—particularly for residents who cannot drive, those who use mobility aids and families travelling at off-peak hours. A better understanding of how vehicles are booked and used, where availability is tight, and the types of adjustments passengers need should help the council and operators target improvements where they will make the greatest impact.
The consultation arrives at a busy time for the local fleet, with strong seasonal demand through the summer and continuing pressure on late-night and weekend transport. Bringing residents’ voices into the policy process gives the council a way to test whether current arrangements meet the Bay’s changing patterns of travel and accessibility expectations.
National reforms on the horizon
The work in Torbay also sits against a national backdrop. The King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 signalled the Government’s intention to modernise taxi and private hire regulation, with proposed measures expected to strengthen accessibility requirements for disabled passengers and support greater investment in wheelchair-accessible and other accessible vehicles. Torbay’s ISP and the unmet demand assessment are expected to position the local authority to respond to, and potentially benefit from, these changes when they arrive.
How residents can contribute
The consultation, commissioned by the council’s Taxi Licensing Department, is now live and invites residents to share their experiences of using taxis and private hire vehicles in the Bay. Feedback from people who depend on accessible transport is particularly encouraged, though all users and carers are welcome to respond. Responses will help the council compare current provision with demand and highlight any gaps that need attention in policy or practice.
Residents who have encountered barriers to travel—or who have positive examples of drivers, vehicles or operators making journeys easier—are being asked to set these out in their submissions so that practical lessons can be learned and adopted more widely.
What happens next
Insights gathered through the consultation will inform the drafting of Torbay’s Inclusive Service Plan and feed into the wider review of the 189-vehicle cap on hackney carriages. The findings are expected to guide future licensing policy, engagement with operators and potential measures to improve access for disabled passengers and others with additional needs.
For residents, carers and community groups, taking part offers a direct way to help shape how the Bay travels—making sure that local taxi and private hire services are safe, fair and accessible to everyone who needs them.
