The Taxi Accessibility Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

PART 2 General Accessibility Requirements

Communication devices

5.—(1) A regulated taxi which has a partition between the driver and the passenger compartment shall be fitted with an intercom system and an induction loop system.

(2) Where a regulated taxi is fitted with an intercom system and an induction loop system in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) a sign shall be clearly displayed in the passenger compartment indicating the availability of those systems.

Steps

6.—(1) Subject to paragraph 7, where the passenger’s first step into a regulated taxi would be more than 380mm in height the vehicle shall be fitted with a step on at least one nearside entrance or exit to provide passenger access and egress.

(2) Any steps fitted in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) shall comply with the following requirements—

(a) the surface of each tread shall be covered in a slip resistant material;

(b) around and abutting each of the edges of the step there shall be a band of colour of not less than 50mm in width which shall contrast with the remainder of the step surface;

(c) a step shall not be less than 200mm deep and not less than 400mm wide;

(d) in a flight of steps, the difference in height between any two steps shall not be more than 200mm measured vertically from the surface of the tread, and at the centre of the tread width, to an imaginary line extended horizontally from the surface of the next tread or floor of the vehicle;

(e) a step shall have a slope of not more than 3° in any direction; and

(f) each step should support a mass of 136kg at its central point.

(3) Where a regulated taxi is fitted with an automatically deployed step, the mechanism shall be maintained so that the step is available at all times.

7.  The requirements of paragraph 6 may alternatively be met by fitting a continuous running board which meets the following requirements—

(a) the running board shall be not less than 200mm deep at the point where the passengers board;

(b) the surface of the running board shall be covered in a slip resistant material;

(c) the running board should support a mass of 136kg at its central point;

(d) around and abutting the edges of the running board there shall be a band of colour of not less than 50mm in width which shall contrast with the remainder of the surface of the running board; and

(e) the running board shall have a slope of not more than 3° in any direction.

Handholds and handrails

8.—(1) Where an entrance or exit to a regulated taxi is fitted with a step in accordance with paragraph 6(1) the vehicle shall have at least one handhold or handrail fitted at that entrance or exit.

(2) The handholds or handrails shall—

(a) have a slip resistant surface;

(b) be capable of being easily and firmly gripped by a passenger; and

(c) contrast with the parts of the vehicle adjacent to the handhold or handrail.