Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    DRIVERS of wheelchair-accessible taxis are hoping the government will increase subsidies to offset higher operational costs and fewer passengers, as compared to standard cabs.

    The city put on its roads 100 wheelchair-accessible taxis customized for physically challenged passengers at the end of last year. The British-style cabs, though attractively distinctive, consume more gasoline.

    “The fuel cost is about 0.3-0.4 yuan (US$0.05-0.06) higher per kilometer than regular taxis, and its occupancy rate is much lower,” explained cab driver Zhao with Shenzhen Yunfa Taxi Service Co.

    The company now provides a 2,000-yuan subsidy for fuel and a 1,000-yuan safety bonus each month.

    But the subsidies, according to Zhao, do not equally offset the additional operating cost. The vehicle is generally sold at 200,000 yuan per vehicle and its maintenance is higher than regular taxis.

    A regular red cab consumes about 0.7 yuan per kilometer, but a wheelchair-accessible taxi typically consumes about 1.1-1.3 yuan in fuel per km. It costs about 200 yuan more a day over a regular cab, if each is driven about 450 kilometers a day, according to the company.

    Shenzhen’s first 100 wheelchair-accessible taxis began operating Dec. 30. The taxis contain movable ramps to assist passengers in wheelchairs.

    But in four months, driver Deng with Xihu Taxi Service Co. carried fewer that 10 physically challenged passengers.

    “Passengers who need such service won’t flag down a taxi in the street. They generally call 8316-8316. Most of them are patients at hospitals,” said Deng. Passengers sometimes also mistook the cab as a cargo vehicle, or even as an illegal taxi, since its appearance is different. Many unencumbered passengers will not use the vehicles, as they believe they only serve physically challenged passengers.

    Deng transported about 30 passengers a day when he drove red cabs. Now he carries at most 23 passengers a day. This effectively dropped his income by about 100 yuan a day, he says.

    According to Yu Li, deputy chief with Shenzhen Passenger Transportation Administration of Shenzhen Municipal Transport Commission, the government will assess the wheelchair-accessible cab program after six months of operation and then decide if subsidies will be adjusted.

    Shenzhen’s transportation commission said accessible taxis are in service 24 hours a day. Passengers can file a complaint if they are rejected by drivers by dialing 8322-8000.

    Shenzhen was home to about 134,700 people with disabilities in 2012, and about 75,800 of those held Shenzhen hukou, or permanent resident status.