Shanghai's first taxi fleet for the handicapped and seniors went into service recently, just in time to cater for athletes participating in the Special Olympics.

The fleet, 50 barrier-free minibuses operated by Dazhong Taxi Co and 90 facility-friendly taxis by Qiangsheng Co, is named the "Sunshine Fleet" and offers discounts to handicapped passengers.

The Dazhong minibuses were made to order and equipped with an elevator in the back to help wheelchair passengers get on and off car without leaving their wheelchairs.

Disabled people get a 50 percent discount of the normal fare for a trip of less than 10 kilometers and 70 percent for a trip of less than 20 kilometers.

"The minibuses have fewer passenger seats to make room for the special lift in the back. The discount is useful to the physically handicapped people who are most often making short-distance trips," said an official with the Dazhong Co.

Qiangsheng's 90 taxis have the seat next to the driver's modified to respond to a controller to spin out to pick up the passenger from a wheelchair.

The local disabled persons' federation will pay 1.5 million yuan (US$200,000) from community donations to help fund the special taxi fleet.

"Calling for a taxi was very difficult for wheelchair users in the city. Many cabbies were unwilling to stop for the special passengers. It meant more time and trouble to help the passenger in and out of the car," said Fu Chunhui, a handicapped man, who is also an official with the local office to promote urban barrier-free facilities.

"The taxi fleet offering barrier-free vehicles is not only great news to people with limb difficulties. It is also needed by the city's large group of seniors," he added.

The special taxis can be ordered on the companies' booking hotlines.

Urban transport officials said the first task for the new cars is helping athletes attending the Special Olympics.

"I have seen the special vehicles picking up a couple of attendants in wheelchairs. They are very helpful though attendants who are also physically handicapped make up only a very small part of the delegations," said Chen Guifang, a star driver from the Dazhong fleet. She is driving the head of the Israeli delegation during the Games.

(Shanghai Daily October 4, 2007)