SMRT injected with $3.1m grant for wheelchair accessible taxis

SMRT will operate 30 wheelchair cabs for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

In a release, MCYS will award a $3.1m grant to SMRT Taxis Pte Ltd to operate 30 taxis that can accommodate larger and high-back motorised wheelchairs used by persons with disabilities and the elderly. The first batch of 15 wheelchair accessible taxis is expected to be on the road by March 2013, before the phasing out of the existing London Cabs. The full fleet of 30 will be operational by August 2013.

In May this year, MCYS had invited taxi operators to apply for the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant. Three operators submitted proposals. An evaluation panel chaired by MCYS, and comprising representatives from the public, people and private sectors, assessed the applications. Operators were assessed on criteria such as the ability of the vehicles to accommodate different types of wheelchairs and service standards (e.g. the required booking time and availability for booking by wheelchair users), pricing of the fare, as well as the grant sought to operate the fleet of taxis.

The panel has decided to award the grant to SMRT. The operator will receive funding of $3.1 million to defray the cost of setting up the service and the higher purchase and operating costs of the 30 wheelchair accessible taxis.

Users can expect greater convenience and a higher quality of service. Today, wheelchair passengers of London Cabs have to book the taxis at least 3 days in advance. With this new fleet, the booking time is shortened to at least 2 days (48 hours) in advance. SMRT is required to meet MCYS’ service standards, which ensure priority for passengers in wheelchairs. SMRT also needs to meet all the prevailing Quality of Service (QoS) standards and other conditions as in the Taxi Operator Licence (TOL) and regulations.

Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mr Chan Chun Sing said, “We have decided to fund 30 wheelchair accessible taxis on the roads by next year, which is doubling the current capacity of 15 London Cabs. This will help meet the growing demand as more persons with disabilities and the elderly are using motorised wheelchairs. It is another step towards building a more inclusive society.”

Under the Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016, MCYS will adopt a two-pronged approach to facilitating transport for people with disabilities. Besides providing funding for private taxi operators to provide a small fleet of wheelchair-accessible taxis through this grant, MCYS is also working towards increasing the capacity of existing Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) transport providers for persons with disabilities.