Media Center
Transportation Today
News Releases
DOT Flix
Inside Transportation
Archives

Alerts
RPIN Breaking News
Road Alerts
My Commute

King Co. DOT
KCDOT Home Page
Metro Transit
Road Services
KC International Airport
Fleet Administration

You are in: Transportation > Transportation Today > News

News from King County Department of Transportation
Release date:  Nov. 14, 2006

Wheelchair-accessible taxis debut in King County

King County Metro Transit and several partners are introducing a new wheelchair-accessible taxicab service to provide more travel options for people who use wheelchairs.

The program, the first of its kind in King County, is currently in the demonstration phase and deploys eight taxicabs to transport wheelchair users to destinations across most urban and suburban areas of the county.

“This has been a service we have wanted to provide for a long time,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “People who use wheelchairs have often been limited in where and when they can travel. This demonstration is an important first step toward developing a long-term plan for accessible taxicab service in King County.”

King County Metro Transit developed the demonstration project in partnership with the King County Licensing Division and the city of Seattle’s Consumer Affairs Division, which jointly issued dual taxicab licenses that are good in both Seattle and other parts of the county.

“The city of Seattle welcomes this demonstration program. We are enthusiastic supporters of the wheelchair-accessible taxi program and are committed to providing equal access to taxis for people who use powered wheelchairs or scooters,” said Craig Leisy, city of Seattle consumer affairs manager. Leisy’s group oversees taxi operations in Seattle.

The new service is provided by Washington Accessible Taxis LLC, which consists of 20 experienced King County and city of Seattle licensed for-hire drivers who operate the eight accessible vehicles and are members of the Yellow Cab Association. Yellow Cab provides dispatching and marketing service for independent cab drivers and is the largest association in King County.

The taxicabs provided by Metro are low-floor mini-vans that are ramp-equipped for easy passenger loading. They will operate with the same fare structure as other local taxi service, and operate 24-hours a day in the urban and suburban areas of the county. There are some size and weight restrictions for the wheelchairs. Detailed information can be found online.

The demonstration project is expected to run for one to two years. During that time, the county and city will:

• Assess the need for accessible taxicabs and estimate how many may be necessary to provide responsive service;
• Test the economic viability of privately owned and operated wheelchair accessible taxicabs that can provide on-demand service to private-pay passengers at standard taxi rates; and
• Evaluate the operation of the side-loading vehicles, the dispatch system, and other logistical issues.

People who need a ride in a wheelchair-accessible taxi can call Yellow Cab at (206) 622-6500.

Updated:  November 14, 2006

DOT Home
Metro | Planning | Roadways | Alternatives
Happenings | Airport | Site Map

King County | News | Services | Comments | Search