Transport providers (SEN/persons with disabilities)
Request ID: FOI-1278-2223 Date published: 20 September 2022
You asked
I would like to request a list of the independent contractors TfL employs to provide transport for persons with disabilities and children with Special Education Needs (SEN). This would include accessible taxis, community transport companies, and other specialist transport providers.
Many Thanks
We answered
TfL Ref: 1278-2223 Thank you for your request received by us on 23 August 2022 asking for information about transport providers for persons with disabilities and children with Special Education Needs. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked for: a list of the independent contractors TfL employs to provide transport for persons with disabilities and children with Special Education Needs (SEN). This would include accessible taxis, community transport companies, and other specialist transport providers Transport for London provides the Dial a Ride service for people with long-term disabilities; as explained at: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/dial-a-ride/ The following link on training we provide in this area may also be of interest: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/schools-and-young-people/safety-and-citizenship/special-educational-needs As the capital’s boroughs are responsible for providing transport for children with special needs, please contact the local authorities directly for further information. A link to the City of Westminster’s website for the services they provide in conjunction with the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea can be viewed here: https://fisd.westminster.gov.uk/kb5/westminster/fis/advice.page?id=Hx0SKdPW1ek TfL can advise that the only contractors we directly contract for Dial-a-Ride are Community Transport organisations and specifically the following:
Some of these Community Transport organisations can also be accessed via the following link to our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/community-transport In some instances they may offer private services where individuals and/or groups can hire them directly, such as for the day or for specific trips. Services such as ComCab also cover a small number of Dial-a-Ride journeys when Transport for London is not able to deliver these trips in-house or through a Community Transport provider. We only use ComCab when the vehicle is suitable to accommodate the customer’s accessibility needs. Taxicard, a subsidised scheme for residents with mobility impairments or who are sight impaired, is managed by the London Councils organisation with some boroughs providing their own Community Transport schemes. Please see the following links to these organisations: https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/door-to-door-transport-services https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/who-we-are We hope the above is useful. If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed. Yours sincerely Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
