Although the Hong Kong Government promotes barrier-free transportation, it encourages the public transport industry to introduce car models to facilitate wheelchair users.
It may be a more convenient option for some wheelchair users to take a taxi, but not all taxi models can be convenient for the disabled.
Among them, the most popular type of taxi that allows wheelchair users to directly sit in a wheelchair is expected to be phased out within two years due to the suspension of production by the manufacturer Nissan.
People in wheelchairs may be hindered from travelling in the future.
Constellation taxis under Loyalty Motors introduced Nissan models as barrier-free taxis in 2015. The 82 barrier-free taxis in the fleet are currently undergoing frequent maintenance due to aging, and it is expected that all taxis will need to be retired in two years.
According to the industry, although another Toyota hybrid taxi that is popular in Hong Kong claims to be a barrier-free taxi, larger wheelchairs such as electric wheelchairs cannot enter the carriages. Hope the government can specifically approve the introduction of other taxis. So that wheelchair users can continue to travel with peace of mind.
The Transport Department said that taking into account the actual needs of wheelchair passengers, it is actively discussing with the taxi industry and vehicle suppliers, including considering the introduction of parallel or individual imports of qualified vehicles. Details are expected to be finalized this month.
If wheelchair passengers take a hybrid taxi, they need to go up and down from the side door, and then turn 90 degrees to face the front after entering the compartment. Due to the congestion of the compartment, if the wheelchair is too large, they cannot ride.
(Photo by Lu Yiming)
Xingqun taxis introduced more than 90 Nissan NV200s as taxis in 2015. The car is more spacious than common Toyota Jinfeng taxis. Wheelchair users can get on and off the taxi directly from the rear of the car.
However, production of the NV200 model has been discontinued. Cheng Minyi, executive director of Loyalty Motors, said that its fleet has 12 NV200 taxis and has to be decommissioned due to no longer being repaired. The remaining 82 taxis are being repaired more frequently and the time required for repairs is increasing. The longer it is, it is expected that all NV200 taxis in the team will gradually retire after two years.
Toyota Jinfeng hybrid taxis are the most common, but some wheelchairs cannot be boarded or alighted
According to data from the Transport Department, there are 3 types of taxis in Hong Kong that are wheelchair accessible. About 94% of them are Toyota Jinfeng hybrid taxis. The other is Toyota Noah.
Zheng Minyi said that although the most common Toyota hybrid taxis are advertised as being wheelchair accessible, they need to place additional pedals in actual use, and they must also fold up the passenger seats in the car. In addition, this model has a side door up and down design. , The wheelchair must turn 90 degrees after entering the carriage.
If passengers are on a sloping road, the wheelchair is easy to turn over. Only light sports wheelchairs are suitable. Others with larger rear wheels, higher backrests, or electric wheelchairs cannot be used.
Star Group taxis have also introduced two Jinfeng hybrid taxis on Lantau Island to serve people who need to travel to Lantau in wheelchairs.
However, Cheng Minyi said that there were passengers who returned in disappointment, "Some passengers felt that they had a car (wheelchair) so meticulous, and told the driver that they would be able to get there. Of course, if you get on the car, you will find the car. The passengers are disappointed and the schedule is blocked. "She described it as "not possible" to replace the NV200 with a Toyota Jinfeng hybrid taxi.
The car dealer intends to introduce Nissan Serena water trucks as barrier-free taxis
Faced with the imminent retirement of Nissan’s barrier-free taxis, constellation taxis have looked for other suitable car models to replace them, but the cost and whether the government approves the application are difficult.
She said that the current NV200 uses liquefied petroleum gas as fuel, and the fuel cost per kilometer is about 7 to 8 millimetres, which is about twice as expensive as an ordinary taxi. However, there is no option to apply LPG vehicles on the tailgate. If you switch to electricity Fuel trucks cost 1.2 yuan per kilometer, which makes it more difficult for drivers to operate.
"However, Zheng said that he still hopes that new cars can be introduced. "I would rather have them. It is expensive, but it is better than completely fading out the market. No more services will be provided," she said. I learned that the barrier-free taxi fleet retired two years later, and they were all very nervous.
Zheng Minyi continued that at present, he intends to introduce another Nissan car model-"Serena E Power" to replace the NV200, and the car dealer has bought two of them for trial use.
However, the use of other vehicles for taxi purposes and the addition of wheelchair anchoring devices and other equipment requires submission of information to the Transport Department for approval.
Zheng pointed out that for the introduction of the car model for taxi use in Hong Kong, the car factory will have its own consideration, and may not be willing to spend extra time preparing documents for the order of about 100 cars, so it can only consider entering the car through the parallel channel.
She said frankly that the Hong Kong Government's approval requirements for the introduction of water trucks for taxi use may be even higher.
Cheng Minyi said that another "drilled" convoy that provides barrier-free taxi services was also specially approved by the government to introduce cars for barrier-free taxi use in Hong Kong. He believes that there are precedents that can be followed and the Transport Department can " "Turn on the green light" to approve the use.
Transport Department: Considering the introduction of parallel or individual import models. Details will be implemented this month
In response to the "Hong Kong 01" inquiry, the Transport Department stated that the import of new types of taxis must be approved by the vehicle type assessment mechanism, requiring the vehicle manufacturer or its local authorized agent to submit technical information documents and arrange a sample vehicle for inspection. The wheelchair anchorage devices and other equipment of barrier-free taxis, as well as body modification works, must also comply with relevant internationally recognized standards.
All modification works on the vehicle must also be approved by the original vehicle manufacturer to ensure that the safety of the vehicle is not affected before it can pass the inspection.
The Transport Department continues to point out that taking into account the actual needs of wheelchair passengers, it is actively discussing with the taxi industry and vehicle suppliers to introduce taxi models that are specially equipped to carry wheelchair passengers, including considering parallel or individual import models to introduce qualified vehicles. The use of barrier-free taxis is expected to be implemented within this month.
Agent: According to the needs of the taxi dealer, contact the dealer to order
Nissan’s Hong Kong agent Hecheng Motors stated that the introduction of taxi models depends on the number of taxis, the business willingness of the car manufacturers and the requirements of the Transport Department. Some car manufacturers may have their own business directions, referring to the use of public vehicles, licensing and vehicle inspections. More procedures may be involved, and depending on the needs of the taxi dealer customers, they will contact the depot to order and prepare documents for them.
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