Suncheon City Operates Voucher Taxi Service for Transportation-Disadvantaged Individuals

One Step Closer to Enhancing Mobility Convenience for Transportation-Disadvantaged Individuals

[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Heo Seok) announced on the 30th that it will operate 28 voucher taxis starting from the 1st of next month to provide mobility convenience for transportation-vulnerable people who have difficulty using city buses.

Voucher taxis are a mobility support project for transportation-vulnerable people, where taxis that usually operate for the general public prioritize service when called by transportation-vulnerable individuals.

Before implementing the project, the city recruited operators and secured support budgets starting in July, completed driver training and pilot operations through the establishment of a call system, and will begin operation from the 1st of next month.

Since 2012, the city has operated special transportation means equipped with wheelchairs called transportation-vulnerable call taxis to support mobility for transportation-vulnerable people, and expanded to 22 vehicles last year, operating 65,817 times annually, 24 hours a day, year-round.

The newly introduced voucher taxis can be used by non-wheelchair transportation-vulnerable people who account for 55% of transportation-vulnerable call taxi users, reducing waiting times and allowing operation on slightly narrower roads compared to transportation-vulnerable call taxis, thus enhancing user convenience. It is also expected to reduce waiting times for transportation-vulnerable people using wheelchairs.

People who have difficulty using city buses, such as persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 or older, and who wish to use voucher taxis can register their user qualifications at the Jeonnam Regional Mobility Support Center and apply by phone, text message, or smartphone (Jeonnam Regional Call app) when using the service.

A city official stated, "Through this pilot introduction of voucher taxis, we plan to analyze the usage effects and further expand demand-centered services next year."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.