New City of Minneapolis Program Provides Increased Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab Service to the Public
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 4:22PM
Via a February 25 Press Release from The City of Minneapolis:
New City of Minneapolis Program Provides Increased Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab Service to the Public
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 (Minneapolis, MN) – The City of Minneapolis has developed a new program to provide wheelchair accessible taxicab service to the public. Effective February 1st, 2015 five local taxicab companies have agreed to provide wheelchair accessible taxicab service 24 hours a day.
The participating companies receive incentives in the form of reduced license fees for providing the services. The incentive fund is created by charging an annual license surcharge to all other taxicab companies and Transportation Network Companies such as UberX and Lyft who do not provide the services.
“This new program is a great step in the right direction to increasing accessibility for our residents,” said Mayor Betsy Hodges. “It’s important that all residents know they can rely on services when they need them, and I thank these participating taxicab companies for recognizing the importance of serving the entire community. This program aligns with other investments the City is making to increase accessibility in a range of transportation options, including pedestrian improvements, winter-time snow-clearing, and advocacy for level boarding at LRT and future streetcar stops.”
All of the participating taxicab vehicles are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and charge the same fare as all other licensed taxicabs. Currently, 23 wheelchair accessible taxicabs are participating in the program, and all accept credit cards. The drivers have received training from their respective companies on the proper use of these specialty vehicles.
The taxicab companies participating in the program are Airport Taxi (7 wheelchair accessible vehicles), Yellow Taxi (7 wheelchair accessible vehicles), Green and White Taxi (6 wheelchair accessible vehicles), Minneapple Taxi (2 wheelchair accessible vehicles), and La Mexicana Taxicab (1 wheelchair accessible vehicle).
The Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab program was developed by the City of Minneapolis Division of Licenses and Consumer Services, the taxicab advisory committees of taxicab service companies, owners, and drivers, plus advice from the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities. For more information visit the City of Minneapolis Business Licensing website.
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