Geely TX4.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Disabled Shanghai residents will receive subsidies from the city's month-old London taxis after the Shanghai Disabled People's Federation complained the cabs' fare price is too expensive.
According to the federation's Wednesday announcement, the local government of Shanghai would shoulder 80 percent of the transportation cost of disabled residents. The federation would take charge of administering the new scheme.
Last month, 50 Geely TX4 taxi units hit the streets of Shanghai. The TX4 is the same model used in London streets. The new cabs prioritize disabled passengers who require more spacious transport design with more accessible features.
Shanghai commuters with residence permits are eligible and must book in advance to get the transport service, although the details are still being processed.
However, the London cabs are more expensive than standard cabs in Shanghai. Its flagged down rate starts at RMB5 ($0.82) and goes up to RMB2.6 ($0.42) per kilometer, RMB0.2 ($0.03) more than the standard.
The Shanghai Qiangsheng Taxi Co., the company running the taxi service, said that the charges reflect the new cabs maintenance and higher fuel cost.
Meanwhile, disabled Shanghai residents had mixed feelings about the new London taxis. Around 30 disabled residents with spinal condition availed the cab service yesterday and went to Lujiazui located in the Pudong New Area courtesy of the Shanghai Association of People with Physical Disabilities.
One disabled passenger, Zhang Quanyong, was hoping taxi units would provide disabled people like him more secure features when on the road.
Zhang said that ideal cabs should offer disabled passengers wheelchair access with a secure space to prevent them from swaying while on the move.
Zhang, who usually takes the Metro, hopes more cabs would be like the London taxis because he found out that only one is available in the Putuo District.
Taking the Metro is complicated for Zhang. He said that his entire family accompanies him and tries to go out after 10 a.m. and leaves to return home before 3:30 p.m. to avoid the Metro rush.
To avoid further commuting hassles, Zhang said that he opts not go out anymore.
Contrary to Zhang's welcoming attitude to the new London taxis, Fu Xiaomin, a paraplegic, said that she would no longer avail the cab's services.
Fu complained that it took longer than usual to book a cab (two days) and the taxi's folding ramp is not disabled-friendly. She said that the ramp is too steep the driver and her husband had to make extra efforts to get her and her wheelchair into the cab.
