What is the Taxicard Scheme?

The London Taxicard Scheme provides subsidised, door to door travel for London residents with severe mobility or visual impairments. It allows for travel in licensed taxis or private hire vehicles.

The Scheme is funded by the London boroughs and Transport for London, and is managed by the local London Councils on their behalf.

Who is eligible for a Taxicard?

You are automatically eligible for a Taxicard if you:

• Receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance

• Receive 8 points or more for the Moving Around Activity component of Personal Independence Payment

• Are registered as severely sight impaired or blind (not partially sighted)

• Receive a War Pension Mobility Supplement

• Receive the Armed Forces Independence Payment (mobility element)

• Receive Higher Rate Attendance Allowance (only in Hackney, Sutton, Barnet, Redbridge, Newham, Islington and Westminster)

• Have a Blue Badge (only in Hammersmith and Fulham)

If do not fall into any of the above sections then don’t worry because you may still be eligible. However if you do still want to apply, you will need to complete an application form, provide medical evidence of your disability and you may be required to have a mobility assessment.

How can I apply for the Scheme?

You need to request an application form. The application form you need will depend on the London borough in which you live. Please check your borough webpage for details. You may be able to download the application form online.

How long will my application take?

The application process will usually take between 6-8 weeks, but this will depend on if you qualify automatically or not.

How many Taxicard trips will I get per month/year?

This will depend on the London borough in which you live. Please check your borough webpage for more details.

How much will my Taxicard journey cost?

You can find out how Taxicard journeys are charged here. You can also request a quote for a particular journey by calling the booking line on 0207 763 5001.

How do I make a Taxicard booking?

You can book a vehicle by phone, online, via the CityFleet app, or hail a taxi in the street or from a rank. See here for more details.

Are all taxis wheelchair-accessible?

All licensed taxis are wheelchair accessible; they all have ramps for wheelchair users. Some larger types of electric wheelchairs can not be legally secured in the taxi which means they may not be allowed on board. Please check with your taxi supplier before booking.

Can the taxi driver help me from my house to the taxi?

Taxi drivers are only insured to assist you in and out of the taxi, so unfortunately they are not allowed to help you into your house.

Can I travel outside the London boroughs?

Either your pick up or drop off destination must be within a London borough.

Can more than one person travel in the taxi with a Taxicard member?

You may be accompanied by up to four companions if you are travelling in a black taxi and up to three in a private hire vehicle at no additional cost. If you travel in a black taxi and have a large wheelchair, only three, or sometimes only two, companions may be able to travel with you. However, this will all depend on the type of wheelchair you have. When travelling with multiple companions, you should make the number of passengers clear when booking, so that an appropriate vehicle can be sent.

How many Taxicard rides do I have left?

You can obtain your trip balance from the operators at Computer Cab when you make a booking on 020 7908 0271.

What should I do if my card has been lost or damaged?

You will need to contact London Councils on 0207 934 9791 as Taxicard holders who lose or damage their cards will be charged £10 for a replacement. Card holders can pay by debit or credit cards over the telephone. You will need your payment card to hand when you phone.

Alternatively, if you wish to pay by cheque or postal order (a postal order for £10 incurs a £1.00 fee at point of purchase), please make your payment of £10 payable to ‘London Councils’ and send it to:

London Councils Taxicard

59½ Southwark Street

London, SE1 0AL

The name and address of the Taxicard holder must be written on the reverse of the cheque or postal order and the Replacement Taxicard Reply Form must be completed and enclosed.

What should I do if my card has been stolen?

You need to contact London Councils on 020 7934 9791. Stolen cards are replaced free of charge if a valid Crime Reference Number is provided. If you are unable to provide a crime reference number the card will be processed as if it has been lost and a £10 charge will be incurred to replace it.

A refund cannot be obtained if you obtain a crime reference number later for the incident.

The taxi driver did not give my card back to me, what should I do?

You can call Computer Cab on 020 7908 0271 (option 3) to ask if they can contact the driver on your behalf.

Can I travel without my Taxicard?

To prevent fraud and misuse of Taxicards; members are not permitted to travel without their card.

I have run out of trips, can I have some more?

Boroughs do not usually give additional trips so you’ll need to wait until you receive your next annual allocation of trips the following year (1 April).

What do I need to do if I change my address, phone number or other personal details?

If you change any of your personal details then you must call London Councils on 020 7934 9791 to inform them of your change of details, so that they have the most up-to-date contact details for you.

I have moved to a different London borough, can I still use my card?

If you have moved boroughs then your current Taxicard is no longer valid. You will need to reapply to your new borough for a new card. If you meet the automatic criteria for the Taxicard scheme then they may be able to transfer your account and issue a new Taxicard upon receipt of the relevant documentation. Please contact London Councils on 020 7934 9791 or email taxicard@londoncouncils.gov.uk for further information.

You will no longer be eligible if you have moved outside of the London boroughs.

Can I make a booking online?

To make a booking online visit the ComCab website.

The London Taxicard Scheme is available in a number of different Boroughs including:

• 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

However, it’s always worth looking up the different rules for your different areas as they may vary from Borough to Borough.

For example:

I live in Greenwich

We are allowed 104 trips per year from April to April

We are allowed 2 swipes per journey

Taxi drivers allow the meter to run up to £10.80 per swipe

Customers will only pay £2.50 per swipe, meaning 2 swipes will cost £5. If you’re not yet at your final destination then you have to pay the extra.

Bear in mind that there are different meter rates at different times, so you may want to check these before heading out.

My tips for travelling with your Taxicard

• Always keep your Taxicard safe

• Find out both your pick up and drop off addresses before you book

• If you know what time you wish to leave an event then it’s wise to prebook your return journey at the same time as your outward journey. This prevents you having to wait around in the cold and waiting longer than necessary.

• If I know you have to be somewhere at a particular time then it’s wise to pre-book the taxi earlier in the afternoon so that you get to your arrival venue on time.

Once again, please do read the different rules for your area to avoid any unfortunate surprises