Posted on the 24th March 2026 in PHTM News

NEW RULES APPROVED TO INCREASE WHEELCHAIR ACCESS ACROSS DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

Dumfries and Galloway Council has greenlit a new strategy to make it easier for people in wheelchairs to find a taxi.

On Thursday, March 19, the Enabling and Customer Services Committee met to approve a series of changes designed to support drivers and improve local transport.

One of the biggest changes is the creation of a special licensing zone just for wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs), which will allow these specific taxis to pick up passengers across the entire region rather than being limited to one area.

To get more of these accessible vans and cars on the road, the council is also reducing its prices. It will now cost just £230 to get or renew a WAV licence, and the fee to swap an old vehicle for a new one has been dropped to £65. While the council is keeping the current limit of 70 taxi licences in the Dumfries town zone, they are hoping these new incentives will fix the shortage of accessible rides in rural spots.

Local leaders also agreed to lobby the Scottish and UK governments for financial assistance to help taxi operators purchase and maintain WAVs, and to help address wider challenges facing taxi and private hire services in rural areas.

Councillor John Campbell, Chair of the committee, described the move as a major milestone for the area.

He said: “The creation of a new Zone is a significant step. It is intended to help encourage more WAVs onto the road and improve access for people who rely on those services, while retaining the current arrangements in the existing zones.”

Vice-Chair Councillor Ben Dashper added that while there is no "single easy answer" to transport problems, this plan offers a "practical way forward" to help everyone get around more easily.


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