Open Road Access urges a modern, inclusive framework to fix systemic barriers and build an equitable transport future for disabled and older passengers.
London, UK — October 2025 — Open Road Access (ORA), the purpose-driven innovation company transforming accessible transport across the UK, has submitted a detailed response to Parliament’s Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Licensing Inquiry, calling for urgent reforms to make the UK’s licensing system fit for purpose in an inclusive, low-carbon transport era.
In its submission to the Transport Committee, ORA argues that current PHV licensing arrangements undermine accessibility, fragment standards, and prevent innovation, creating a postcode lottery for disabled passengers and blocking operators from delivering nationwide accessible mobility services.
‘Disabled people travel 38% less than their non-disabled peers,’ said Catherine Marris, ORA’s Director of Partnerships, Policy & Impact. ‘That’s not because people don’t want to travel — it’s because the system doesn’t let them. The current PHV framework makes it too hard to operate accessible services, too inconsistent to guarantee quality, and too complex to scale innovation. Reform is not just overdue — it’s essential.’
A System That Fails Disabled Passengers
More than 16 million disabled people live in the UK — around one in four citizens — yet wheelchair-accessible transport remains scarce. Only 2% of all PHVs are wheelchair-accessible, and more than half of local authorities don’t even require standard taxis to meet accessibility criteria. Training standards are similarly inconsistent: only 55% of councils require disability inclusion training for taxi drivers, and just 53% for PHV drivers.
For many disabled people, PHVs and taxis are the only viable form of transport. But ORA’s evidence highlights a system where access depends on where you live, not what you need.
The issue is especially acute in London. Transport for London’s (TfL) current rules require any new PHV to be Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) and under ten years old at relicensing. While the goal of decarbonisation is vital, this rule inadvertently blocks the entry of new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) into the market, because modern EV battery layouts make conversions technically and economically prohibitive.
As of August 2024, there were just 390 licensed WAV PHVs in London — 0.42% of the city’s fleet — and that number has been falling for three years. The result is a shrinking supply of accessible vehicles at the exact moment demand is rising.
‘The combination of emissions rules and rigid age caps is creating a perfect storm,’ explained David Dew Veal, ORA’s CEO. ‘We absolutely support the transition to zero emission vehicles — but if the policy unintentionally removes accessible vehicles from the road, it fails the very people we’re all trying to include. A just transition must be an accessible transition.’
Fragmentation Stifles Innovation and National Provision
ORA’s submission also highlights how the hyper-local nature of PHV licensing prevents accessible transport from scaling nationally. With more than 200 local authorities operating separate licensing regimes, an operator seeking to deliver a consistent, accessible service across England must apply for and maintain hundreds of local licences.
For a purpose-driven company like ORA — whose mission is to enable 15 million accessible trips annually by 2030 — this creates duplication, inefficiency, and systemic barriers to growth.
Fragmentation also makes enforcement inconsistent and confusing. Some authorities, such as Manchester, sensibly allow WAVs to operate up to 17 years old in recognition of their higher cost and lower supply. Others, like TfL, apply blanket 10-year limits. The result is a patchwork system that punishes accessibility rather than supporting it.
ORA is therefore calling for the creation of a national licensing route for accessible operators, enabling responsible providers with proven accessibility credentials to operate seamlessly across boundaries.
Home-to-School Transport: A Priority for Reform
Another key focus of ORA’s submission is home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) — an area where inconsistency and weak safeguarding rules are particularly concerning.
Many councils rely on private taxi and PHV operators to deliver these essential journeys. Yet standards for training, passenger assistance, and safeguarding vary widely, creating risks for vulnerable passengers.
At the same time, Community Transport Organisations (CTOs) — trusted, mission-driven providers with strong social purpose — face regulatory barriers that prevent them from competing fairly or operating at scale.
ORA proposes introducing a non-commercial PHV licence category for CTOs, allowing them to deliver home-to-school services safely and sustainably while embedding strong accessibility and safeguarding standards.
‘We’re spending more than ever on SEND transport, yet parents and councils alike report patchy quality,’ said Catherine Marris. ‘We need to empower providers with the right values and capabilities — not tie their hands with outdated rules. Community Transport can and should be part of the solution.’
Digital Platforms and the Accessibility Gap
The rise of digital ride-hailing platforms has transformed how people book taxis and PHVs, but accessibility has not kept pace with innovation.
Research by Leonard Cheshire found that over half of disabled people still book their journeys by telephone because apps are inaccessible or unreliable, and most platforms do not guarantee a WAV even when requested.
ORA’s response calls for new regulatory duties on digital ride-hailing platforms — requiring them to publish data on accessible vehicle availability and service refusals, and to make booking systems fully accessible.
‘Technology should be a leveller, not another barrier,’ said David Dew Veal. ‘Accessible innovation is good business — and good policy. The companies building the future of mobility should be leading on inclusion, not lagging behind.’
Preparing for the Autonomous Future
ORA’s submission also looks ahead to the next wave of mobility change: autonomous vehicles (AVs). The company welcomes the potential of AVs to expand mobility options for disabled people but warns that without inclusive design and regulation, automation could replicate — or even deepen — today’s accessibility barriers.
Research by TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) has highlighted challenges ranging from safe wheelchair restraint and entry systems to accessible digital interfaces. ORA is calling for a dedicated accessibility standard for autonomous PHVs and taxis, ensuring inclusive design and booking systems before vehicles are approved for use.
A Blueprint for Reform
Across its consultation response, ORA outlines a set of clear, practical reforms that would future-proof licensing and deliver equality in transport access:
- National minimum standards for accessibility, safeguarding, and training, applied consistently across all local authorities.
- Best-practice guidance protecting WAV provision — including extended age limits and temporary emissions exemptions — until affordable e-WAVs are available.
- A new non-commercial PHV licence to enable Community Transport organisations to operate safely and sustainably.
- Accessibility obligations for digital ride-hailing platforms, including transparency on WAV supply and driver training.
- Dedicated accessibility standards for autonomous vehicles to ensure inclusion from the outset.
Together, these measures would replace the current fragmented system with a framework that is consistent, fair, and innovation-ready.
‘We have a once-in-a-generation chance to get this right,’ said Catherine Marris. ‘Accessibility isn’t a side issue — it’s the foundation of a transport system that works for everyone. The reforms we’re proposing would make licensing simpler for operators, safer for passengers, and smarter for government.’
Beyond Compliance: A Vision for Inclusive Mobility
For ORA, the consultation is part of a wider effort to close the UK’s transport accessibility gap. Disabled people currently make nine fewer journeys per week on average than their non-disabled peers — a gap representing millions of missed opportunities for work, education, healthcare, and connection.
Since launching its nationwide Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) hire service, ORA has supported more than 2,000 customers, earning a Trustpilot rating of 4.9/5. Each trip represents not just mobility, but independence and dignity — the values at the heart of ORA’s mission.
‘Accessibility is both a moral imperative and an innovation opportunity,” said David Dew Veal. “The consultation gives us the platform to re-imagine how licensing can empower the next generation of accessible services. We’re ready to work with government, local authorities, and industry to make that happen.’
A Call to Action
ORA is inviting government, regulators, and industry partners to engage in a collaborative redesign of the licensing system — one that balances environmental goals with social justice and economic opportunity.
The company is already in dialogue with key stakeholders across government and the transport sector to develop practical pathways for reform, including potential pilots for national-scale accessible licensing and cross-border enforcement.
‘We’re not here just to critique — we’re here to help solve,’ said Catherine Marris. ‘The next version of PHV licensing should make the UK proud: fair, green, and inclusive. ORA is ready to play its part.’
About Open Road Access (ORA)
Open Road Access (ORA) is a purpose-driven innovation company transforming accessible transport and closing the UK’s transport accessibility gap. Its mission is to ensure that everyone can move freely, independently, and with dignity.
Founded in 2023, ORA combines technology, co-design, and community engagement to deliver scalable, flexible mobility solutions. Its flagship Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) hire service offers nationwide coverage, flexible rental terms, and delivery direct to customers’ doors.
ORA aims to enable 15 million accessible journeys annually by 2030, redefining how accessible transport is conceived, designed, and delivered.
Website: www.openroadaccess.co.uk
Media contact: press@openroadaccess.co.uk
