Gangjin-gun Operates Voucher Taxi Service for Rainy Weather Wheelchair Users and Transportation Vulnerable Groups

Expectations for Expanding Mobility Rights and Improving Travel Convenience for Transportation-Disadvantaged Groups

[Gangjin=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do has been operating voucher taxis for transportation-disadvantaged people who do not use wheelchairs since the 1st of this month.

The county operates a special transportation service for the transportation-disadvantaged, the Disabled Call Taxi, but to improve mobility convenience for the increasing number of transportation-disadvantaged people each year, it introduced the voucher taxi system for those who do not use wheelchairs.

The transportation-disadvantaged voucher taxi provides mobility support services to eligible users, and operation within Gangjin-gun is the principle.

Eligible users are transportation-disadvantaged people such as disabled persons who do not use wheelchairs and the elderly who find it difficult to use public transportation. Those who wish to use the service must register with the Jeonnam Regional Mobility Support Center.

The taxis operate daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a basic fare of 500 KRW for the first 5 km, and up to 1,000 KRW depending on the distance. Each person can use the service up to 4 times a day and 30 times a month.

A county official said, “We hope that operating the transportation-disadvantaged voucher taxi will be an opportunity to expand mobility rights and improve convenience for transportation-disadvantaged people residing in or visiting our county,” adding, “We will actively promote this project to ensure that no transportation-disadvantaged person misses out on using the service due to lack of awareness, so that no one faces mobility restrictions because of their disability.”

Gangjin=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su gabrielw@asiae.co.kr