Taxicard
Taxicard Service Information
Added: 15 January 2009 | Updated: 17 April 2012
The London Taxicard Scheme is funded by 32 participating London boroughs and the Mayor of London, and it aims to provide door-to-door transport for disabled and older people who have mobility impairments and difficulty in using public transport. The Taxicard contract is administered by London Councils, and operated by Computer Cab.
Your Taxicard allows you to make a set number of subsidised journeys in licensed London taxis. The number of trips you are allocated differs depending on which borough you live in. For detailed information about your borough click here.
Eligibility
You are automatically eligible for membership if you:
• Receive the Higher Rate Mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
• Are registered as Severely Sight Impaired/Blind (Being partially sighted does not allow automatic entry)
• Receive a War Pension Mobility Supplement
If you are not in one of the above categories you may still apply, but you may be asked to provide further detailed personal information.
Local boroughs are tightening up the assessment process. List exactly what your impairments are, how you are disabled by inaccessible transport services, and what effect this has on your daily life.
Many boroughs conduct eligibility assessments carried out by occupational therapists. You may be invited to one where you will be asked questions about your impairments and how they prevent you from using public transport, as well as being monitored while you walk a certain distance.
You may also be asked how you traveled to the assessment.
If you believe your application was unfairly rejected, contact Transport for All to discuss the appeal process.
Click your borough to download the correct application form
Barking and Dagenham / Barnet / Bexley / Brent / Bromley / Camden / City of London / Croydon / Ealing / Enfield / Greenwich / Hackney / Hammersmith and Fulham / Haringey / Harrow / Havering / Hillingdon / Hounslow / Islington / Kensington and Chelsea / Kingston upon Thames / Lambeth / Lewisham / Merton / Newham / Redbridge / Richmond upon Thames / Southwark / Sutton / Tower Hamlets / Waltham Forest / Wandsworth / Westminster
Using the Service
You can now book a taxicard trip online via Computer Cab’s website
The Taxicard Call Centre is based in Scotland, and unfortunately it can be difficult to get through. Try to book your journeys in advance to avoid disappointment. You will be asked for your Taxicard number, to confirm your name, the departure and arrival addresses. Always ask for a quote, as for longer journeys it may be cheaper to book a local minicab rather than using your Taxicard.
You can also hail a Computer Cab taxi in the street or at a taxi rank.
If you find it easier to get in or out of a minicab, rather than a black cab, or vice versa, you may request that a note is put on your account so you are always sent the right type of vehicle. You must contact your council and ask them to inform Taxicard of your requirements.
There is a fifteen minute window either side of your booking, so please make sure you are ready as the meter will be ticking. If you are ready on time, there should be no more than £3.40 on the meter. This is the maximum ‘run in charge’. In all boroughs the maximum run in is £3.40, apart from Bromley, Harrow, Newham and Waltham Forest, where the maximum run in charge is £2.40.
If you think you have been unfairly charged when you when you were ready on time, but the meter was showing a higher amount than the maximum run in charge when you entered the taxi, call Transport for All. We can make a complaint to Taxicard on your behalf. The details of all your journeys are held on your Taxicard account.
Did you know?
Taxicard offers a service whereby you will be called to let you know when your taxi has arrived.
You can take up to four people with you in the cab.
When you get in the cab, the driver will swipe your Taxicard. The distance you can travel on one swipe depends on the time of day.
In some boroughs you are able to ‘double swipe’. This means that if you use up one swipe of your Taxicard, you can swipe your card again to continue your journey, using another of your Taxicard trips. If you don’t have doubleswiping in your borough, you can continue your journey once you have used up one trip, but you will be charged at standard taxi rates.
If the meter charge is greater than the subsidy allowed, you will have to pay £2.50 plus the difference between the subsidy and meter total.
Since April 2011, there have been changes to the Taxicard charges and subsidies. These vary from borough to borough. Most councils have increased the fare you pay to £2.50, reduced the subsidy to £9.30, and no longer allow doubleswiping.
If you are unsure about the charges in your borough, contact Transport for All on 020 7737 2339 or check the Taxicard website
Top Tips
If you have booked your taxi the day before, call thirty minutes before its expected arrival time to check the cab is on its way.