You can book in advance at a time of your choice. You do not need to share the environment with other travellers and the driver can take you from your house to your precise destination – and vice versa. However, it can be confusing to work out how to book and pay – and what the difference is between these various options. Interacting with the driver can also be challenging as it can be hard to know how much conversation is appropriate.
There are national regulations in place, aiming to ensure all these types of services are accessible to physically disabled people. However specific companies and drivers are not guaranteed to have a good understanding of the common needs of hidden disabilities, including autism. Therefore, if you are concerned about anything in relation to this, it is advisable to call the company to state your needs and ask if they are able to accommodate these.
- Taxis are sometimes known as Hackney carriages, or black cabs
- They are usually black with an orange ‘taxi’ sign on the roof
- They often have advertisements on the side of the vehicle
- They can be hailed on the street, hired from a taxi rank or booked by phone, app or website
- You will need to pay the driver by cash or card at the end of your ride
- They are regulated and licensed by local authorities (Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council) who set the fare rates. This also ensures the vehicle and driver meet specific standards.
- Private hire vehicles (sometimes known as PHVs or minicabs)
- They are often unmarked – i.e. no signage to show it is for hire
- They typically look like standard cars – and can be any type of make or model
- They are also regulated and licensed by local authorities (Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council) ensuring the vehicle and driver meet specific standards.
- The local authority do not regulate the fares. These are decided by each private company
- The most commonly available PHV company in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (and the UK in general) is Uber
- Uber sometimes has options to travel with another person going in the same direction. This is known as ride sharing
- You cannot hail a PHV from the street or taxi rank
- You need to book online or via phone or app
- Some PHV companies (e.g. Uber) require you to set up an account and pay via a phone app before the journey starts
- You can book in advance or wait till just before the time you need to set off
- You may have to wait a couple of minutes for a taxi to be confirmed.
- There will be occasions where a booking is confirmed and then cancelled by the driver. You will then be allocated another driver. If this happens frequently, this can be reported to the taxi company.
- More traditional minicabs who do not use apps, may take payments at the end of the journey and may accept card or cash
- Some PHV companies also have offices, which you can visit and book a ride in person. At night, these may have long queues, especially in Leicester.
- It’s best to check how and when to pay before you book, so that there are no surprises.
- If using Uber, you will be asked to rate the driver and will be asked if you want to pay a tip. This is optional.
