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One in four young people say inaccessible transport limits access to education and work, Freenow by Lyft survey finds
Nearly half (49%) of young people (16 to 24-year-olds) who use a wheelchair, or know someone who does, said transport barriers caused them to miss or cancel plans
30% of all respondents said inaccessible transport had affected their ability to see friends or family
90% said easy app access to a wheelchair-accessible black cab was important
Freenow by Lyft continues to encourage TfL and the Mayor of London to explore financial support options to help protect London’s fully accessible black cab fleet
London, Tuesday 10 November 2026: Inaccessible transport is preventing young people from accessing key life experiences and career opportunities, according to new survey research published today by Freenow by Lyft.
The survey*, which looked at the experiences of wheelchair users and people who know wheelchair users, found that transport barriers are routinely disrupting daily routines, education, and healthcare appointments:
One in four (26%) young people said transport barriers affected their ability to get to work, school, university, or interviews
One quarter (26%) of all respondents had missed vital healthcare appointments
Over half (55%) of young people, and 51% of respondents overall, reported that unexpected accessibility problems regularly disrupted their travel, affecting day trips and holidays (33%), and visits to friends and family (30%)
45% of respondents aged 55 and over said ongoing travel barriers have left them lacking confidence to travel independently
When travel plans are disrupted, the survey found that many turn to black cabs, which are fully wheelchair accessible, to complete their journeys:
40% of young people have turned to black cabs due to physical infrastructure failures, such as out-of-service lifts, broken ramps, and unreliable step-free connections
37% of respondents turned to black cabs due to severe overcrowding, which often blocks access to designated wheelchair bays on buses and trains
23% said black cabs were their primary alternative when public transport fails
Overall, 90% of respondents said having easy app access to a black cab is important to them, with more than half (52%) calling it very important to maintaining everyday independence.
To help improve everyday journeys for young wheelchair users, Freenow by Lyft has partnered with Whizz Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, to deliver accessibility training for black cab drivers and raise funds for the charity's work.
A co-branded Whizz Kidz and Freenow by Lyft black cab has taken to London’s streets to raise awareness of young wheelchair users' potential and independence. Passengers can also support the charity directly through Freenow by Lyft’s in-app Round Up and Donate feature, rounding up their fares to help fund vital mobility equipment, specialist services, and accessibility advocacy.
The new survey research comes as London’s taxi trade continues to face severe vehicle supply pressures, with the high purchase price of zero-emission capable vehicles accelerating the decline. Freenow by Lyft is continuing to encourage TfL and the Mayor of London to work constructively with the industry to explore viable financial support options to help protect London’s fully accessible fleet while continuing to meet shared environmental targets.
Danny O’Gorman, UKI General Manager at Freenow by Lyft, said: “Behind these numbers are young people missing out on job interviews, education, and simply meeting friends because the public transport network has let them down.
“As the platform with the largest fleet of black cabs, we know that these vehicles offer a vital lifeline when other options fail, but wider change is long overdue. Through our work with Whizz Kidz, from disability training for drivers to passenger fundraising, we are determined to help break down these barriers and make travel genuinely inclusive.”
Rue Denton, Whizz Kidz Youth Board member, said: “When transport works, it gives young wheelchair users independence, dignity, and the confidence to make journeys that matter to us. Right now, too many journeys are disrupted by access failures and a lack of proper staff training. Black cabs are one of the few transport options I can regularly rely on, but we need accessible travel solutions across the entire network built with young wheelchair users in mind.”
Samantha Renke, actress, presenter, and disability activist, said: “Accessible transport is about more than getting from A to B. It means having the freedom to make plans, pursue opportunities and take part in everyday life without worrying about whether you will be able to get there. We need to keep raising awareness of the barriers wheelchair users face and work towards a transport system that gives everyone greater confidence and independence.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
*The survey noted in this release was conducted by Censuswide in October 2026 among 1,000 UK respondents aged 16 and over who either use a wheelchair themselves or have a family member, someone they care for, or someone they know who uses a wheelchair. The survey included a minimum of 250 respondents aged 16–25.
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About Freenow by Lyft
Freenow by Lyft features broad multi-mobility options across 9 European markets and over 200 cities. Millions of passengers can access various mobility services within a single app, including taxis, private hire vehicles, carsharing, car rental, e-scooters, e-bikes, e-mopeds and public transport.
In July 2025, Freenow was acquired by Lyft, a global mobility platform offering a mix of rideshare, taxis, private hire vehicles, executive chauffeur services, car sharing, bikes, and scooters across 6 continents and thousands of cities. Millions of drivers have chosen to earn on billions of rides. Together, Freenow and Lyft are helping to create a more connected world, with transportation options for everyone.
About Whizz Kidz
As the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, Whizz Kidz empowers young people by providing the wheelchairs, equipment, support, and confidence-building experiences they need, while campaigning for a more inclusive society. Our vision is a world where every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled, and included.
About young wheelchair users in the UK
An estimated 75,000 young people in the UK need a wheelchair to be mobile. Many young people do not receive a wheelchair that fully meets their needs through local services. Without the right wheelchair, young people may experience dependence on others, social isolation, poor mental health, pain, and injury.
Independence is crucial for young wheelchair users to engage socially and participate fully in their communities.