A depiction of a "universal design taxi," which will be in service starting July by the Seoul Metropolitan GovernmentSEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT
Seoul will launch the nation's first “universal design taxi” service next month, designed to serve both passengers with and without disabilities, the city government said Sunday.
The city is set to pilot the mobility support program from Wednesday through December with 12 vehicles.
Seoul introduced the initiative amid surging demand for transportation services among people with limited mobility as the number of trips made using a city-run disability taxi service nearly tripled over three years, rising from 480,000 in 2022 to 1.44 million last year.
Another factor is Seoul's aging population, which is likely to drive further demand for accessible transportation. Adults aged 65 or older accounted for one in five residents, or 1.94 million people, as of April.
“Demographic changes require us to move beyond a system that separates people with and without disabilities and build an inclusive, future-oriented transportation system,” a Seoul Metropolitan Government official said.
The city will deploy Kia's PV5 WAV, a purpose-built vehicle that can accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. Each vehicle is equipped with a 740-millimeter-wide (29-inch), two-stage folding slope that allows wheelchair users to board and exit through the side door.
A depiction of a "universal design taxi," which will be in service starting July by the Seoul Metropolitan GovernmentSEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT
The taxis also feature systems to secure wheelchairs and spacious interiors so wheelchair users can travel with companions.
The service will operate in two phases.
Each vehicle will first provide up to 100 priority rides per month for people with severe mobility challenges. Eligible users can book rides through the Seoul Facilities Corporation’s mobility support center.
Once a vehicle reaches its monthly quota of 100 priority rides, it can switch to regular taxi service. Passengers without disabilities will be able to hail the taxi on the street or book it through a mobile app, with fares charged at the standard midsize taxi rate.
The city authority plans to evaluate user satisfaction and operating results during the pilot period before deciding whether to expand the service. The pilot project is intended to establish a universal mobility model tailored to Seoul's transportation environment and travel demand.
Japan has expanded the use of universal design taxis through a state-run initiative, while London's iconic black cabs are also widely recognized as a transportation model used by both disabled and nondisabled passengers.
“We will build on the results of the pilot program to establish this as Seoul's standard taxi model,” said Yeo Jang-kwon, the head of the transportation office at the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
