Bedford Borough Council wishes to understand more about the experiences of individuals who make journeys using accessible taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs). As you may know, the Council licences both drivers and vehicles to trade in the borough and has a duty ensure that the travel needs of those with mobility or sensory impairments are considered.    
 
The TAS Partnership has been engaged to undertake this research around the experiences of local taxi and PHV users in Bedford. We want to understand more about passengers' experiences with accessible taxis and PHVs, and how far they meet different travel needs. An accessible taxi or PHV is one designed to accommodate a passenger travelling in a wheelchair and which may have additional features to assist passengers with specific needs.
 
If you have any experience of local taxis or PHVs, we would like to invite you to participate in this short questionnaire. We want to hear from:
- individuals who can tell us about personal experiences with taxis and PHVs, including family members, friends or carers who may accompany someone on journeys, and
- representatives of groups and organisations whose clients or members may require accessible taxis and PHVs and have experience of organising or procuring such transport.
 
For information on the two types of vehicle licences, please note that a licensed Taxi can be hired at a taxi rank or hailed in the street, and its fares are set by Bedford Borough Council and metered. All Bedford taxis are accessible. A Private Hire Vehicle has to be booked in advance (via phone, website or App) and charges vary between companies. Not all PHVs are accessible.    

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* 1. On average, how often do you/they use taxis or PHVs in Bedford? (please select one). Please note each trip is counted separately (i.e. one return journey = 2 trips).

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* 2. For what purpose do you/they mostly use a taxi or PHV in Bedford? (please select one):

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* 3. To what extent do you/they agree or disagree with the following statement: "There are enough accessible taxis and PHVs in Bedford" (please select one for each type of vehicle):

  Taxi PHV
Strongly disagree
Disagree
It's about right
Agree
Strongly agree
No opinion

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* 4. How often have you/they found it difficult to get a taxi or PHV in Bedford because you or they need an accessible vehicle and/or additional assistance? (please select one):

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* 5. How often have you/they been refused a taxi or PHV in Bedford because you/they need an accessible vehicle and/or additional assistance? (please select one):

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* 6. Which times of day and week have you/they mostly asked for an accessible taxi or PHV? (please select as many as apply):

  At night (2:00am to 5:00am) Early (5:00am to 7:30am) Breakfast (7:30am to 9:30am) Morning (9:30am to 12:00pm) Lunch (12:00pm to 3:00pm) Afternoon (3:00pm to 6:00pm) Evening (6:00pm to 11:00pm) Late (11:00pm to 2:00am) None of these
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

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* 7. How do you/they usually order accessible taxis or PHVs? (please select one):

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* 8. Please can you indicate what features and/or assistance you/they would require from a taxi or PHV service? (Please select all that apply):

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* 9. In terms of customer care, disability awareness and their ability to make the passenger feel comfortable and safe, in general how would you/they describe the competence of the drivers in Bedford? (please select one):

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* 10. What other modes of transport can you/they use?

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* 11. In the future, what do you/they think should be Bedford Borough Council’s approach to accessible taxi and PHVs? (Please select all that apply):

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* 12. Please use this space to tell us more about your/their experiences of accessible taxis or PHVs and drivers:

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* 13. About yourself (please select one):

I am answering

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* 14. What age group do you fall into? (please select one):

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* 15. Please indicate your gender (please select one):

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* 16. Please indicate your/their specific situation (please select as many as apply):

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* 17. If you wish to discuss any issues in further detail, please leave your contact details below and we will contact you:

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