Solutions from Ukraine: Irpin introduces social taxi service for individuals with disabilities

As of September, a social taxi service that offers free transportation for people with disabilities has begun testing in Irpin, Kyiv region. The service enables individuals to travel to hospitals, clinics, or rehabilitation centers in Irpin, Bucha, Hostomel, or Kyiv.

The city mayor, Oleksandr Markushyn, reported that.

What is the problem?

The ongoing war with Russia has brought many challenges to Ukraine, and one of the most pressing issues is the increasing number of people with disabilities. Additionally, there are individuals with restricted mobility, not related to the war, as well as with temporary limitations.

Many Ukrainian cities are still not well-equipped to provide convenient and accessible transportation for people with disabilities. This poses a significant barrier to mobility and prevents them from participating fully in society.

Hence, Ukrainian cities must adapt their transportation services to cater to the needs of people with disabilities. One solution to this problem is the introduction of social taxi services specifically designed for people with disabilities.

What is the solution?

"From today (September 1 – ed.) in Irpin, we are launching the "social taxi" service from our friends and partners "Save Ukraine" in test mode," the head of Irpin emphasized.

How does it work?

Who can use the service:

• People with disabilities of groups I and II with disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
• Children with disabilities who have gait disorders;
• Persons with the I group of visual disabilities;
• Military personnel undergoing rehabilitation with musculoskeletal disorders;
• IDPs who reside in a center for persons with reduced mobility or a modular town.

The social taxi operates from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

"Thanks to the "social taxi," people with disabilities will be able to easily and for free get to a hospital, polyclinic, or rehabilitation center in Irpin, Bucha, Hostomel, or Kyiv in a specially equipped car," Markushyn emphasized.

To order the service, call +380 67 499 30 10. Up to ten trips are available every month.

For reference:

A social taxi is a specialized form of transportation designed for individuals with disabilities. It has all the necessary safety and comfort features for trips to rehabilitation centers, hospitals, educational institutions, and more.

According to Rubryka, the Right to Protection Charity Fund recently donated six specialized vehicles to assist the transportation of individuals with disabilities in Kyiv, Chernivtsi, and Dnipropetrovsk. These cars will be utilized for the "Social Taxi" service at no cost to the communities.

Furthermore, the urban bureau Big City Lab has released a compilation of stories focusing on accessibility with the motto, "If we create user-friendly cities for individuals with disabilities, we create them for all."

In fall 2023, a new chatbot was launched in Kyiv on a trial basis, allowing people to book trips on a social taxi service specifically designed for individuals with disabilities.