Seoul Launches 'UD Taxi' Pilot for Inclusive Transport

Seoul is set to launch a pioneering "Universal Design (UD) Taxi" service next month, aiming to bridge the gap in transportation accessibility for people with disabilities. This innovative initiative will allow both disabled and non-disabled passengers to share the same vehicles, marking a significant step towards inclusive urban mobility in South Korea.

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The service combines disability mobility support with regular taxi operations in a single vehicle, a first nationwide.

The pilot program, running from July to December, will deploy 12 Kia PV5 WAV vehicles. These specially designed taxis feature a 740mm wide, two-stage folding ramp and wheelchair securing devices, enabling users of manual and electric wheelchairs to board and alight through the side doors. The interior is spacious, ensuring wheelchair users and their companions can travel together comfortably.

Operationally, the UD Taxis will function in two phases. Initially, priority will be given to registered members of the disability call taxi service who have severe mobility impairments. Each vehicle can be booked up to 100 times per month through the Seoul Facilities Corporation's Mobility Support Center. Once these priority bookings are fulfilled, the taxis will transition to serving the general public, available through app-based calls or by hailing them on the street, with standard mid-size taxi fares applying.

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The vehicles are equipped with a 740mm wide, two-stage folding ramp and wheelchair securing devices, allowing users of manual and electric wheelchairs to board and alight through the side doors.

This initiative is driven by Seoul's increasing demand for accessible transportation, fueled by a growing elderly population and a rising number of individuals requiring specialized mobility support. As of April, over 2 million Seoul residents, or 20.3% of the population, are aged 65 or older. The usage of disability voucher taxis has also tripled from 480,000 cases in 2022 to 1.44 million last year, underscoring the urgent need for expanded services. The city plans to analyze usage data and passenger satisfaction during the pilot phase to determine the feasibility of wider adoption.

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Priority will be given to severely mobility-impaired individuals who are members of the disability call taxi service, with up to 100 bookings per vehicle per month.