Seoul Secures 150% of Taxis for the Disabled... Waiting Time Reduced to 32 Minutes

Continuous Efforts to Strengthen Mobility Rights for People with Severe Mobility Disabilities
Fleet Expansion to 854 Vehicles by Year-End... On Track to Meet Targets
Average Waiting Times Reduced to Around 30 Minutes... More Corporate Call Taxis Added

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on May 7 that it has expanded its taxi service for the disabled, reaching 150% of the legally required number of vehicles and reducing waiting times by 30%.

Seoul has continuously implemented policies to enhance mobility options and improve convenience for people with severe mobility disabilities. The city is currently carrying out measures ranging from increasing the operation of taxis for wheelchair users to promoting voucher taxis for non-wheelchair users.

Taxi for the Disabled,

To operate special transportation vehicles?designed for wheelchair access?at 150% of the legally mandated number, the city has been steadily increasing its fleet each year and is on track to meet its year-end target. By expanding the fleet to 854 vehicles by 2025, Seoul will reach 151% of the legal requirement.

The city is also upgrading its system to maintain the average waiting time for taxis for the disabled at around 30 minutes. To increase the operation of taxis for the disabled?a key means of transportation for wheelchair users with severe mobility impairments?Seoul has collaborated with the taxi industry to add 90 vehicles in phases since the end of 2023. This year, 36 additional corporate call taxis will be introduced in May, with another 36 vehicles planned for the end of the year based on demand.

Along with reducing waiting times, Seoul plans to expand its all-day reservation system and improve dispatch methods to enhance punctuality and service quality, ensuring a more predictable daily routine for users. For users who require strict punctuality, such as students and commuters, the number of vehicles in the all-day reservation system?which previously operated 240 vehicles (80 at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., and 10 a.m. respectively)?will be increased to 300 vehicles (100 at each time slot) during peak seasons. During late-night hours (1 a.m. to 5 a.m.), the service will be available by reservation for three users per hour.

Jangkwon Yeo, Director of Transportation at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "Seoul is continuously expanding and improving transportation options for the mobility-impaired to create a more accessible environment for transportation-vulnerable citizens," adding, "We will do our utmost to implement related policies so that our efforts go beyond supporting mobility and contribute to building an inclusive social culture."