S.I. No. 248/2010 - Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Wheelchair Accessible Hackneys and Wheelchair Accessible Taxis - Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2010.

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 8th June, 2010.

The Commission for Taxi Regulation, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by sections 34 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (No. 25 of 2003), hereby makes the following regulations:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Wheelchair Accessible Hackneys and Wheelchair Accessible Taxis —Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2010.

2. These Regulations shall come into operation—

(a) on 8 June 2010 in respect of applications for the grant of a wheelchair accessible hackney or a wheelchair accessible taxi licence,

(b) on 8 June 2010 in respect of applications for the renewal of a licence referred to in paragraph (a), and

(c) on 3 January 2012 in respect of the renewal of a wheelchair accessible hackney or a wheelchair accessible taxi licence.

3. In these Regulations—

“approved installer” means a person or company authorised by the manufacturer of the part, component or assembly to install and fit that part, component or assembly and to provide certification of the part, component or assembly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;

“belt anchorage” means the part or parts of the vehicle structure or seat structure or any other part or parts of the vehicle to which the safety belt assemblies or the wheelchair restraints are to be secured;

“Commission” means the Commission for Taxi Regulation;

“EC/UNECE standards” means European Community Directives and the United Nations Economic Community for Europe (UNECE) Regulations in respect of the Type Approval of motor vehicles, vehicle systems and separate components;

“ECWVTA” means the European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval system for motor vehicles;

“EEA” means the European Economic Association;

“EFTA” means the European Free Trade Association;

“ISO” means the International Standards Organisation;

“manufacturer” means the person or body who is responsible to the Commission and its agents for all aspects of the type approval, authorisation or certification process and, as appropriate, for ensuring conformity of production and includes a manufacturer’s duly authorised agent;

“master control” means a control that enables another control to activate the system that is the subject of the control but that is not capable of activating that system on its own;

“normal ride attitude” means the vehicle attitude in running order positioned on the ground, with the tyres inflated to the recommended pressures, the front wheels in the straight-ahead position, with maximum capacity of all fluids necessary for operation of the vehicle, with all standard equipment as provided by the vehicle manufacturer, and with the suspension set for a driving speed of 35 kilometres per hour in normal running conditions specified by the manufacturer;

“safety belt” means an arrangement of straps with a securing buckle, adjusting devices and attachments that is capable of being anchored to a vehicle and is designed to diminish the risk of injury to its wearer, in the event of collision or abrupt vehicle deceleration, by limiting the mobility of the wearer’s body;

“Small Public Service Vehicle Regulations” means the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2003 insofar as they apply to small public service vehicles and Regulations made under section 34 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (No. 25 of 2003);

“specialist equipment” means that equipment or parts intended to assist a person with disabilities in relation to his or her boarding, use, travel and disembarkation of the vehicle;

“swivel seat” means a seat specially designed for vehicles that enables it to turn around on an axis fundamentally perpendicular to the floor of the vehicle;

“technical assessor” means a mechanical or automotive engineer, automotive assessor or a person with similar qualifications who, by reason of his or her competence, experience and independence, is deemed by the Commission to be an appropriate person to assess the fitness and safety of a mechanically propelled vehicle;

“wheelchair accessible licence” means a licence granted under the Small Public Service Vehicle Regulations in respect of a wheelchair accessible hackney or a wheelchair accessible taxi;

“wheelchair accessible vehicle” means a vehicle in respect of which there is a wheelchair accessible licence in force;

“VDA method” means the method of luggage volume measurement of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, Verbund die Automobil Industrie;

“VIN” means Vehicle Identification Number, a fixed combination of characters assigned to each vehicle by the manufacturer marked on the manufacturer’s plate and on the chassis, frame or other similar structure.

Mutual recognition clause.

4. (1) These Regulations do not apply to products either or both—

(a) lawfully manufactured, and

(b) marketed

in another Member State of the European Union or in Turkey, or lawfully manufactured in an EFTA State that is a contracting party to the EEA agreement.

Vehicle specifications.

5. A vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall comply with the requirements of the Small Public Service Vehicle Regulations, insofar as they apply to such a vehicle.

6. (1) A vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall be constructed or converted specifically to accommodate at least one person seated in his or her wheelchair in addition to a minimum of three adult passengers and shall in its converted form hold—

(a) a category M1 ECWVTA Certificate of Conformity,

(b) a category M1 National or Low Volume or Small Series Type Approval Certificate of Conformity, or

(c) a category M1 Single or Individual Vehicle Approval Certificate.

(2) The applicant for a wheelchair accessible vehicle licence shall submit a Technical Assessor’s Report and information package confirming compliance with paragraph (1) and compliance by the vehicle (referenced by its VIN) with these Regulations in relation to seats, safety belts, seat and belt anchorages and wheelchair and occupant restraints anchorages and specialist equipment.

7. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall have a permanent, rigid roof covering the driver and passenger compartments.

(2) A vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) with a sunroof, to any length including full length, may be the subject of an application for a wheelchair accessible vehicle licence.

Luggage.

8. (1) Accommodation for safely transporting luggage of minimum total volume of 420 litres, as measured by the VDA method, shall be provided within a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence.

(2) A guard or cover shall be fitted to the luggage compartment of any vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) sufficient to prevent luggage from causing injury to any passenger in the event of an accident.

(3) A space consisting of the minimum box dimensions 735 millimetres x 330 millimetres x 805 millimetres shall be provided within the luggage volume specified at paragraph (1) to accommodate a folded wheelchair.

(4) In relation to a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible taxi licence, the volume specified at paragraph (1) shall be in addition to the seating dimension requirements specified at Regulations 10 and 12.

Door dimensions.

9. (1) A vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall be fitted with—

(a) at least one wheelchair accessible door aperture capable of being opened from inside and outside the vehicle, located to the nearside or rear of the vehicle, affording unrestricted access to the wheelchair space referred to in Regulation 10 and of minimum dimensions of 745 millimetres in width and 1,250 millimetres in opening height, and

(b) at least one other opening door that enables access from inside or outside to the passenger compartment.

(2) The rear doors (vertically hinged) or tailgate (horizontally hinged) may be reckoned as an aperture referred to at paragraph (1)(a) if the vehicle concerned was designed for rear wheelchair entry and the doors otherwise meet the dimensions specified therein.

(3) The rear doors (vertically hinged) or tailgate (horizontally hinged) may be reckoned as an access opening referred to at paragraph 1(b).

Wheelchair space.

10. (1) A vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall contain space of a minimum dimension of 1,350 millimetres in respect of headroom, 700 millimetres in respect of the width of the wheelchair space and 1,200 millimetres in respect of the length of the wheelchair space.

(2) Space of the dimensions specified in paragraph (1) shall be made available exclusively for the accommodation of one person to travel either forwards-facing or rearwards-facing in his or her wheelchair.

Seating dimensions and requirements

11. (1) The top of the uncompressed front passenger seat squab in a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall be at least 275 millimetres from the floor of the vehicle, with a minimum foot exit space or radius between the corner of the squab and the door pillar of 350 millimetres.

(2) In respect of the vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) there shall be a substantially flat area on the floor of the vehicle immediately in front of the front passenger seat of a minimum dimension of 350 millimetres in length and 350 millimetres in width.

12. (1) In relation to all passenger seats other than the front passenger seat in a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence—

(a) there shall be a minimum seat squab width of 400 millimetres in respect of each passenger, and

(b) the top of each uncompressed squab shall be at least 275 millimetres and not more than 460 millimetres from the vehicle floor at the front of the squab.

(2) In respect of a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) there shall be at least 650 millimetres measured longitudinally and horizontally from the front face of the backrest at uncompressed squab height to the rear face of the seat or the surface immediately in front of the seat.

(3) Where in a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) seats face each other, there shall be at least 1300 millimetres measured longitudinally and horizontally between the front faces of the opposing backrests at uncompressed squab height.

(4) The shoulder room of at least one row of rear seats in a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) shall be a minimum of 1,360 millimetres.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), no seat in a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) may be added that contravenes these Regulations.

(6) A seat in a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) may be replaced by a swivel seat fitted by an approved installer.

(7) Folding or removable seats may be used in a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) only as supplied by the original manufacturer and in compliance with these Regulations.

(8) No seat on a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) may be side facing.

13. Seat covers in a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall be original equipment manufacturer quality cloth upholstery, leather retrims or of equivalent quality.

14. (1) Safety belts, belt anchorages, seats, seat anchorages, seat mechanisms, and head restraints in a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall comply with the technical provisions of the relevant passenger car (M1) EC/UNECE standards.

(2) In respect of the vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) proof shall be provided that the same level of performance required by the passenger car (M1) EC/UNECE Directives/Regulations is guaranteed.

Access Steps

15. (1) Where in respect of a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence—

(a) the vehicle is at normal ride attitude,

(b) the floor or lowest internal surface of the passenger compartment is higher than 230 millimetres from the ground, and

(c) the door aperture exceeds 1,150 millimetres in height,

an intermediate step (in these Regulations known as an “access step”) shall be securely affixed to at least one door aperture located to either the nearside or rear of the wheelchair accessible vehicle.

(2) An access step shall have a slip-resistant surface.

(3) Where fitted, kneeling suspension may be lowered to reduce the normal ride attitude prior to any measurement of the passenger compartment floor height in a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1).

16. (1) The tread depth of an access step shall be at least 200 millimetres and the width of the step shall be at least 400 millimetres.

(2) The height of the surface of an access step shall be no more than 230 millimetres from the ground, when the vehicle is at normal ride attitude.

(3) The maximum slope of an access step in any direction shall not exceed 3o when the vehicle is at normal ride attitude.

(4) An access step shall have clearly marked rounded nosings of not less than 40 millimetres in a bright colour contrasting to the colour scheme of the general interior.

(5) While a wheelchair accessible vehicle is in motion, an access step shall not project more than 10 millimetres beyond the widest part (excluding mirrors) of the vehicle exterior.

(6) The corners or supporting structures of an access step facing forwards or rearwards shall be rounded to a radius of not less than 5 millimetres and the edges of an access step shall be rounded to a radius of not less than 2.5 millimetres.

(7) Subject to paragraph (8), the edges of an access step shall be rounded to a radius of not less than 2.5 millimetres.

(8) Protruding parts of an access step made from a material of hardness not exceeding 60 shore A may have a radius of curvature of less than 2.5 millimetres.

(9) An access step that has been certified as part of the ECWVTA approved vehicle specification is deemed to have complied with the requirements referred to in paragraphs (5) to (8).

17. An access step shall be designed and constructed to withstand, without permanent deformation or deflection at any point on the access step exceeding 10 millimetres, the following loads—

(a) in respect of an access step designed to take one person at a time, a mass of 136 kilogrammes placed in the centre of a single step, or

(b) in respect of an access step designed to accommodate more than one person at a time, a mass of 272 kilogrammes placed in the centre of a double step.

18. Where a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence is fitted with a kneeling suspension system—

(a) a master control and separate user control for the kneeling system function shall be required to enable operation of the system,

(b) any control which initiates the lowering or raising of any part or the whole of the body relative to the road surface shall be clearly identified and under the direct control of the driver or the wheelchair occupant or his or her assistant,

(c) the lowering process shall be capable of being stopped and immediately reversed by either the master control or the separate user control, and

(d) the kneeling system shall not allow the vehicle to be driven at a speed exceeding 5 kilometres per hour where the vehicle is at lower than normal ride attitude.

Wheelchair ramps and lifts.

19. (1) A wheelchair ramp or other mechanism, referred to in these Regulations as a “boarding aid”, that is either part of a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence or is carried securely in that vehicle, shall be employed by the operator of that vehicle to permit a person travelling in a wheelchair to enter or exit the vehicle safely.

(2) Where the boarding aid is a powered lift assembly, the vehicle presenter shall provide a service or installation certificate no more than six months old which certificate shall confirm the minimum safe working load to be at least 300 kilogrammes.

(3) A lift platform shall be of minimum area 725 millimetres wide x 900 millimetres long.

(4) Subject to paragraph (6), a wheelchair ramp shall—

(a) have a maximum permitted ramp angle of 16o relative to true level, (for side entry vehicles only this shall be assessed with the free end raised 125 millimetres from the ground),

(b) be able to accommodate a variety of ground and kerb conditions,

(c) support a combined wheelchair and occupant mass of at least 300kg,

(d) where detachable, be suitable for manual handling,

(e) have a safe means of ramp stowage,

(f) where detachable, be permanently marked with the vehicle registration number of the associated vehicle,

(g) where detachable, have an adequate locating device to ensure that they do not slip or tilt when in use,

(h) provide a continuous, slip-resistant surface for the wheels of the wheelchair,

(i) be a minimum of 700 millimetres in width between the edge upturns,

(j) have safety edge upturns that are at least 25 millimetres in height,

(k) at all times be in good working order and available for use, and

(l) display a Safe Working Load (SWL) marking.

(5) On request by the Commission, the applicant for a wheelchair accessible vehicle licence shall produce to the Commission within 14 days of the request documentary proof that the wheelchair ramp stored within the passenger compartment has met the standards set out in Schedule A.

(6) The Commission may waive one or more of the specifications contained in paragraphs (4) and (5) on the application of a manufacturer in respect of a particular design that cannot accommodate the specification or specifications in question where the Commission is satisfied that the merits of an innovative design solution for the consumer outweigh the desirability of compliance with this specification or specifications.

Restraints for wheelchairs and for passengers travelling in wheelchairs.

20. (1) A wheelchair space shall be fitted with—

(a) a restraint system in respect of the wheelchair occupant with a minimum of three belt anchorage points providing pelvic and upper torso restraints designed and constructed to perform in a manner similar to a safety belt, and

(b) a wheelchair restraint system suitable for general wheelchair applications.

(2) A wheelchair restraint system shall be capable of being securely attached to the vehicle belt anchorages.

(3) A wheelchair occupant restraint system shall be capable of being securely attached to the vehicle belt anchorages.

(4) The wheelchair restraint belt anchorages shall be symmetrically located longitudinally relative to the wheelchair space provided.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), a minimum of four restraints shall be provided in respect of each wheelchair; two front and two rear for the purpose of securing the wheelchair to the vehicle wheelchair restraint belt anchorages.

(6) A vehicle with ECWVTA fitted with alternative wheelchair restraints and proven to have successfully demonstrated an equivalent level of performance to that set out in Schedule B will receive consideration upon application by the manufacturer to the Commission.

(7) On request by the Commission, the applicant for a wheelchair accessible vehicle licence shall produce to the Commission within 14 days of the request documentary proof that the wheelchair restraint belt anchorages have met the standards set out in Schedule B.

(8) On request by the Commission, the applicant for a wheelchair accessible vehicle licence shall produce to the Commission within 14 days of the request documentary proof that the wheelchair occupant restraint belt anchorages have met the standards set out in Schedule B.

(9) Each tie down or restraint device shall be clearly marked or designed or permanently attached to its belt anchorages in a manner to avoid the attachment of a tie down or restraint to the incorrect belt anchorage.

(10) Tie downs, straps, components and sub-assemblies of wheelchair restraint systems equipment shall comply with the requirements of the relevant part of ISO 10542 or equivalent international standard and be marked accordingly.

(11) A User Manual published in respect of the make and model of the vehicle concerned and detailing the correct use of specialist equipment shall be available in the vehicle at all times.

Handholds.

21. (1) A vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall be equipped with at least one handhold or rail to assist a passenger to access to or exit from the vehicle.

(2) A handhold or rail referred to in paragraph (1) shall—

(a) approximate 30 millimetres in diameter,

(b) be slip-resistant, and

(c) be brightly coloured contrasting to the colour scheme of the general interior.

(3) There shall be a clearance of at least 35 millimetres between the inside of the working surface of a handhold or rail referred to in paragraph (1) and any adjacent surface.

Interior lighting.

22. (1) A vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall be equipped with localised lighting of not less than 200 lux at the entrance step.

(2) The background interior lighting level of a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) shall be not less than 150 lux.

Flooring.

23. (1) A vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall be fitted with slip-resistant flooring.

(2) Any transitions between the floor and the doorways or seats of a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) shall be delineated in a bright colour contrasting to the colour scheme of the general interior.

Induction loop and microphone

24. (1) Where a vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence is fitted with a full dividing screen, partition or bulkhead between the driver and passenger compartment, it shall be fitted with an intercom and induction loop.

(2) Where an intercom and induction loop is fitted to a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1), signage shall be clearly displayed in the passenger compartment to advise passengers of these facilities.

Windows.

25. (1) A vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible licence shall be fitted with clear window glass.

(2) With the exception of a band of a maximum of 125 millimetres depth at the top upper edge, the front windscreen of a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) shall exhibit 75 per cent minimum visible light transmission.

(3) The windows other than the front windscreen of a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) shall exhibit 70 per cent minimum visible light transmission.

Signage

26. A vehicle the subject of an application for the grant or renewal of a wheelchair accessible hackney licence shall display externally on a passenger door the following symbol or a substantially similar symbol of not less than 105 millimetres in height and of a clearly contrasting colour:

Amendments

27. The Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Wheelchair Accessible Hackney and Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Licences — Contact Information and Record Management) Regulations 2008 ( S.I. No. 234 of 2008 ) are amended by inserting after Regulation 4 the following Regulation:

“5. The holder of a wheelchair accessible taxi licence or a wheelchair accessible hackney licence shall give priority to bookings in respect of persons with disabilities, including persons who wish to travel in their wheelchairs.”.

Regulation 19.

SCHEDULE A Impact Requirements for Boarding Aids (Static Test)

Any boarding aid contained in the passenger compartment should, in its stowed position, be capable of meeting the static strength test requirements below.

A static test should be carried out on the boarding aid in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) The force specified below should be applied by means of a device that spreads the load across the width and the stowed height of the ramp or lift platform assembly. A strap running around the back of the ramp or lift platform at the point defined in (b), across vertical spreader channels and connected to the loading device at the front of the ramp would be suitable;

(b) The force specified below should be applied by means of a device positioned at as close as possible to the centre of gravity of the ramp or lift structure. This should preferably be a position stated by the manufacturer. Otherwise, if the ramp or lift platform is a symmetrical structure this can be taken as half way along the length and stowed height of the structure;

(c) The force in (a) and (b) above should be applied in the forward direction and at an angle of between 0° and 15° above the horizontal plane;

(d) The force should be applied as rapidly as possible through the central vertical axis of the ramp/lift structure;

(e) The force should be maintained for a period of not less than 0.2 seconds; and

(f) The test should be carried out on a vehicle or a representative section of the vehicle structure together with any fitting provided in the vehicle which is likely to contribute to the strength or rigidity of the structure.

The forces referred to above are:

A force equal to 20 times the weight of the complete ramp/lift structure i.e.

force (N) = 20 x ramp mass (kg) x 9.81

The test above should fail unless the following requirements are met:

(i) no part of the system should have failed, or should have become detached from its belt anchorage or from the vehicle during the test;

(ii) the ramp/lift should be capable of deployment after completion of the test;

(iii) no part of the system should be deformed to such an extent after completion of the test that, because of sharp edges or other protrusions, the part is capable of causing injury.

Regulation 20.

SCHEDULE B Wheelchair and Occupant Restraint Belt Anchorage Requirements (Static Test)

A static test should be carried out on the belt anchorage points for both the wheelchair restraint system and the wheelchair occupant restraints in accordance with the requirements below:

1. (a) the forces specified in subparagraph 2(a) should be applied by means of a device reproducing the geometry of the wheelchair restraint system i.e. rigid surrogate wheelchair with attachment points for front and rear restraints;

(b) the forces specified in subparagraph 2(b) should be applied by means of a traction device specified in paragraph 5.3.4 of Annex 1 of Council Directive 76/115/EEC, as amended, and supported on the device defined in paragraph (a);

(c) the forces in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above should be applied simultaneously in the forward direction and at an angle of between 5° and 15° above the horizontal plane;

(d) the forces in subparagraph (a) above should be applied in the rearward direction and at an angle of between 5° and 15° above the horizontal plane;

(e) the forces should be applied as rapidly as possible (a maximum load introduction time of ten seconds) through the central vertical axis of the wheelchair space;

(f) the force should be maintained for a period of not less than 0.2 seconds; and

(g) the test should be carried out on a vehicle or a representative section of the vehicle structure together with any fitting provided in the vehicle which is likely to contribute to the strength or rigidity of the structure. Only the components of the wheelchair restraint and occupant restraint devices which form part of the belt anchorages with the vehicle are required for the purposes of the test.

2. The forces referred to in paragraph 1 are:

(a) in the case of belt anchorages provided for the wheelchair restraint system:

(i) 22250N 200N applied in the longitudinal plane of the vehicle and towards the front of the vehicle at a height of not less than 200 millimetres and not more than 300 millimetres measured vertically above the floor of the wheelchair space;

(ii) 11100N 200N applied in the longitudinal plane of the vehicle and towards the rear of the vehicle at a height of not less than 200 millimetres and not more than 300 millimetres measured vertically above the floor of the wheelchair space;

(b) in the case of belt anchorages provided for a wheelchair occupant restraint system, the forces should be in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 5.4 of Annex 1 of Directive 76/115/EEC, as amended for M1 vehicles.

3 A test in paragraph 1 should fail unless the following requirements are met:

(a) no part of the system should have failed, or should have become detached from its belt anchorage or from the vehicle during the test;

(b) any mechanism to release the wheelchair and user should be capable of release after completion of the test;

(c) no part of the system should be deformed to such an extent after completion of the test that, because of sharp edges or other protrusions, the part is capable of causing injury.

GIVEN under the seal of the Commission for Taxi Regulation,

8 June 2010.

KATHLEEN DOYLE,

Commissioner for Taxi Regulation.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations introduce additional requirements for wheelchair accessible taxis from 8 June 2010 in respect of new licences and from 3 January 2012 in respect of existing licences (i.e. renewals). In addition, they create a new licence category; that of wheelchair accessible hackney. A draft of these Regulations was notified under Directive 98/34/EC.

These Regulations contain specifications relating to—

general vehicle requirements,

luggage,

door dimensions,

wheelchair space,

seating numbers and dimensions,

access steps,

wheelchair ramps and lifts together with compliance test,

restraints for wheelchairs and passengers travelling in wheelchairs together with compliance test,

handholds,

interior lighting,

flooring,

induction loop and microphone,

transparent windows, and

mandatory signage.

They also amend 2008 Regulations in relation to accessible taxis and hackneys to provide that holders of accessible vehicle licences are obliged to prioritise bookings in respect of persons with disabilities.