Govt to offer grants for wheelchair-accessible taxis

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http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120523-0000067/Govt-to-offer-grants-for-wheelchair-accessible-taxis

With anxiety among wheelchair users over the phasing out of London Cabs next year, the Government will be giving grants to taxi operators to operate taxis which can accommodate larger and high-back motorised wheelchairs.

Through this grant, the Government hopes to encourage operators to double the fleet size of wheelchair-accessible taxis from the current 15 London Cabs, said Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing, when he announced the grant yesterday.

Currently, wheelchair commuters can only make use of London Cabs to get around. However the licences of these London Cabs will expire next March.

Taxi operators can submit proposals applying for the grant from yesterday until June 25. They will be assessed on criteria such as the ability of the vehicles to accommodate different types of wheelchairs, and service standards on required booking time and availability to wheelchair users.

"The total amount of grant will depend on the eventual fleet size. For example, if the fleet is 30 vehicles, the grant could be about S$3 million," said the spokesperson. "Successful applicants for this grant would also have to adhere to the existing quality service standards for all taxis. We are also looking to reduce the wait time for advance bookings from three days to two days (48 hours)."