London Taxicard

A London Taxicard gives subsidised door-to-door transport in licensed black taxis and private hire vehicles for people with mobility problems.

Eligibility

The scheme is available to permanent residents of the borough who are:

• Blind
• Have long term, severe mobility difficulties
• Have difficulty in using public transport

View the full eligibility criteria for the Taxicard scheme.

Mobility assessment

Some applicants will need to attend an appointment with an expert assessor in order to have their eligibility for the scheme assessed.

This will take place at the Supported Travel office at 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ.

The assessment will last approximately 30 minutes and will involve a discussion with the occupational therapist about your mobility difficulties, followed by a short walking assessment.

Trip allowance

The scheme year runs from 1 April until 31 March. Scheme members are allocated an annual trip allowance of 104 trips, per year, on 1 April each year.

If you are joining the scheme part way through the scheme year, your trip allocation for your first year will be calculated pro rata by London Councils. Thereafter you will receive 104 trips on 1 April each year.

Unused trips from the previous scheme year are not carried over.

Booking taxis

Once activated, you can book taxis online via Computer Cab (ComCab) or by telephoning the number on the back of the card.

You can also hail a Computer Cab taxi in the street or from a rank. 

Fares and payment

Journeys are paid for partly by us and partly by you, the Taxicard member. 

For each journey you always pay the first £3.50, and we pay up to £9.50 (the Single Subsidy). If the trip cost exceeds £13 (your £3.50, plus our contribution of £9.50), then you must pay any additional cost.

Double swiping

Double swiping allows Taxicard members to swipe their cards twice during a journey instead of once. This means that they can use two trips and two subsidies. This allows people to choose whether to take fewer longer trips or more shorter trips.

For example, for a single trip members pay a minimum fare of £3.50, and the maximum trip subsidy is £9.50. If you use a double swipe, you pay £7 and have a maximum trip subsidy of £19.

Maximum fare guarantee

The cost for any journey is based on a maximum fare guarantee. When you make a booking you will be given a maximum fare for that journey based on a price per mile.

At the end of the journey, if the fare on the meter is lower than the maximum fare quoted then your contribution will be based on the metered fare. If the fare on the meter is higher than the maximum fare quoted, you will be charged the maximum fare quoted when you booked.

Visit London Councils website for more information on fares and payments.

How to apply

To make an application download our Taxicard application form.

Equalities Act 2010: should you require a reasonable adjustment or assistance to complete your application, call 020 8831 6094 or 020 8831 6312.

Return the completed application form with all the relevant documents to:

Supported Travel team
44 York Street
Twickenham
TW1 3BZ
Make sure you use the correct postage when sending in your application so it is not delayed. If you are unsure how much postage you require, have your envelope weighed at a Post Office.

If posting documentation please only send copies of the required proofs, not originals. If you send originals you will be responsible for collecting them from us. 

Proof of identity

Include one of the following:

• Passport (just the page with your personal information, i.e. name and date of birth)
• Driving licence
• Birth certificate (this is not accepted if your name has changed)
• Marriage, civil partnership, divorce or dissolution certificate
• Deed poll (showing a legal change of name)
• Certificate of naturalisation
• HM Forces ID card
• European identity card
• Asylum registration card or letter

Proof of address

Include one of the following with your application. Hospital and GP correspondence, and bank and credit card statements/letters are not accepted.

Dated within 12 months:

• Council Tax bill or statement
• Tenancy agreement or rent book/statement/letter
• Home/contents insurance document

Dated within three months:

• Residential utility bill/letter (excluding mobile phone bill) e.g. gas, electricity, phone, water
• HM Revenue and Customs letter
• Letter of entitlement to benefits or pension
• Domiciliary care bill

Application outcome

We will contact you within eight weeks from when you submit your application to:

• Tell you your application has been successful
• Ask you to attend a mobility assessment, or
• Ask you to provide further documentation

If your application has been successful, you will be sent a London Taxicard starter pack. You will need to follow the instructions to activate your Taxicard before you can use it.

Appeals

If you have been sent a letter explaining that your application for the scheme is refused, you can appeal, in writing, within 28 days of the date of the refusal letter.

Stage 1 appeal

In writing your appeal, you should include any information you believe supports your eligibility for the scheme. For example, further information about your mobility impairment, diagnosis, prognosis and medication may help. Additional medical evidence from your GP or relevant medical professional should be provided to support your appeal. This must be recent, reflect your current situation and be relevant to the eligibility criteria.

The Supported Travel team will acknowledge your appeal within five working days of receipt.

The Head of Parking Compliance will review the additional information provided against the scheme’s eligibility criteria. After considering your appeal the Head of Parking Compliance will either:

• Approve you for the service, and send you a confirmation letter, or
• Refuse the service and write to you giving the reason for refusal

Stage 2 appeal

The refusal letter will offer you the option to progress your appeal in writing to the Assistant Director of Resources should you feel that any issues remain that have not been addressed previously at the Stage 1 appeal.

Local Government Ombudsman

Once you have exhausted the appeals process, if you feel that we have not applied our policy in a correct manner you may bring this matter to the attention of the Local Government Ombudsman.

Subsequent applications

Applicants turned down for the scheme at initial application, Stage 1 appeal or Stage 2 appeal can apply again without prejudice six months after the date of the final decision notification.

Applicants turned down for the scheme who then become eligible through one of the automatic qualifying criteria within this six month period, can reapply with the relevant supporting documentation.

Replacement cards

We cannot replace expired, lost, stolen or damaged cards.

To renew or replace your card you need to contact London Councils directly. 

• Phone: 020 7934 9791 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
• Email: taxicard@londoncouncils.gov.uk

Cost

Replacement cards cost £10.

Timescales

Your replacement Taxicard should arrive within 5 to 10 working days, subject to the necessary document approval.

Finding a lost card

Your replacement Taxicard will have a new membership number. If you later find the Taxicard that you had previously lost, it will no longer work.

Contact

If you have any questions about the application, need help to apply, or would like a hard copy sent to you, contact us by:

Phone: 020 8831 6312
Email: accessibletransport@richmond.gov.uk