The new regulations were brought in to significantly improve Dundee’s appalling record on accessible taxis for the disabled, with only nine out of over 500.

All new or replacement taxis in Dundee will have to be suitable for disabled people to access.

Mr Mackie was speaking outside the Olympia Leisure Centre, where the first new wheelchair accessible taxi to participate in the Dundee Taxicard scheme since the regulation changes was unveiled.

Owner Robert Alexander is operating a new £25,000 Peugeot E7 vehicle, which is one of the most advanced, highest specification custom-built taxis on the market.

“By changing the regulations we are trying to encourage the taxi trade to cater for the unmet demand from wheelchair customers,” said Mr Mackie.

“Dundee falls far short of what is a reasonable service to disabled people, and this is the first step to address this.

“For far too long we have been at the bottom of the league. At the end of the day we must ensure the best possible service from the taxi trade.”

Convener of Planning and Transportation, Fiona Grant, said, “The Taxicard scheme run by the city council allows for people with disabilities to benefit from 100 concessionary taxi journeys a year.

“People needing wheelchair access are currently limited to using 14 taxis run by a few different operators, but this should improve over the coming months.

“The more choice the public have when using disabled access taxis the better.

“Taxicard customers are able to use any operator who is complying with the scheme, and I would encourage any new taxi owners with wheelchair accessible vehicles to join the Taxicard scheme.

“The early signs are encouraging — applications are coming forward that would translate into new vehicles of this nature on our roads serving the citizens of Dundee.”

The council is helping new drivers by giving them a grant of £1500 a year for the first five years.

Mr Alexander, a driver with Tay Taxis, said there was a “real demand” for disabled access vehicles in Dundee and, since Christmas, he has already taken 25-30 jobs.

“The new legislation has given me the opportunity to buy a taxi of my own, and I would encourage other people to participate in the Taxicard scheme,” he said.

“In the past disabled people would phone a week in advance for a taxi, but things are moving in the right direction, and the day is going to come when every car will have disabled access.”

Vehicles approved as wheelchair accessible by the licensing committee are Peugeot E7, Peugeot Eurobus, Fiat Freedom (Doblo Conversion), Fiat Freedom Twin (Doblo Conversion) and London black cab types TX1 and TX2.

New owners of wheelchair accessible vehicles can apply to join the Taxicard scheme by phoning the council’s planning and transport-ation department on 433006.