Institute of Transportation, MOTC

• Date：2023-09-19
• Update：2023-09-21
• Department：IOT

Project Overview

      The National Development Council estimates that Taiwan is gradually transitioning from an “aging society” to a “super-aged society.” The aging of the population will increase the demand for long-term care, medical care, and rehabilitation. This indirectly causes a rise in transportation demand. Through the planning of an accessible light vehicle transportation service development environment and promotion strategies in 2020, the Institute of Transportation responds to future social demand and integrates information and communications technology to create an accessible environment. The transportation needs of individuals with limited mobility can be met. Using “itaxi” as the service brand, promote wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) services based on reservations.

       July 2021 to July 2022 was the implementation period for the plan. In addition to continuing to provide “itaxi-pre-booking wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) services” in the four special municipalities (Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, and Taichung City), the successful pre-plan planning experience was promoted in Tainan City and Kaohsiung City. Simultaneously, a rolling review of the wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) contract system was conducted in order to expand the itaxi system platform’s capabilities and discuss issues pertaining to cross-ministry/agency resource integration. To prepare Taiwan for its impending transition into a super-aged society, accommodating transportation services for the elderly and those with mobility issues have been aggressively introduced.

Research Results

1. The expansion of the “itaxi-prebooking wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT)” system function has been completed. Two algorithms of the automatic scheduling model were developed to optimize the user experience for the general public, contract businesses, and competent authorities.
2. Promotion and implementation of the wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) contract system have been concluded. In addition to continuing to provide services in Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, and Taichung City, itaxi promotion was expanded to Tainan City and Kaohsiung City, making it available in all six special municipalities. Six briefings and workshops on promoting the wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) contract system were held, in addition to two seminars with experts and scholars.
3. Completing tasks related to the planning and implementation of cross-ministry/agency cooperation: creating an inventory of the ministries responsible for general light vehicle transportation services or public use subsidies; holding in-depth discussions on cross-ministry/agency cooperation issues; developing a strategy and vision for cross-ministry/agency cooperation; defining performance indicators; and planning, designing, and implementing cross-ministry/agency cooperation. The subsequent phase of cross-ministry/agency cooperation was outlined in detail. In addition, the system function addition and revision were completed in accordance with the demonstration plan requirements, and New Taipei City’s rehabus referral function was completed to support rehabus requirements.
4. The “Procedural Guidelines for Amendments to MOTC Road Public Transportation Subsidy for Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) (Draft)”, “Guideline for MOTC Subsidy for Encouraging Purchase of wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) (Draft),” “Management Guidelines for Management of wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) Contract businesses (Draft),” “Procedural Guidelines for Distribution of Operational Incentives for Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) Contract Businesses (Draft),” “Example of Contract for Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) Contract Businesses (Draft). In turn, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and local governments expedited the completion of the operating procedures for the contract system, shortening the timeline for the wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) contract system and enhancing and accelerating the effectiveness of wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) promotion.

Result Promotion and Benefits

• The “Cares Taipei” exhibition was held between November 18 and November 20, 2021. A briefing for the subjects was held in Kaohsiung on December 20, 2021. To conduct selection of multiple contract businesses, importation was completed in six special municipalities, including Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taichung City, Taoyuan City, Kaohsiung City, and Tainan City. The plan was joined by 14 wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) contract operators and a total of 385 vehicles. From September 2, 2020 to December 31, 2022, 319,234 services were performed in total.There are currently 7,719 members who have taken rides.
• The service characteristics of the “iTaxi” pre-booking integration system include: (1) Save time for the public: local governments set up a single pre-booking portal; (2) Openness and transparency of information: passengers can book in advance for all service trips offered by each contract fleet; (3) Emphasize fair trading by estimating the taxifare ahead of time and basing the fare on the meter with confidence; (4) Recognize potential needs: the system platform includes a backup mechanism for the fleet’s vehicle configuration and the scheduling of service trips; (5) Carry out a subsidy audit: using systematized standard operating procedures, the information in various sections is automatically audited, which is supplemented by vehicle tract data and big data analysis to ensure that trading records cannot be falsified; (6) Provide an API interface: connect businesses’ existing systems so that fleet operators can use their professional expertise; (7) provide passengers with peace of mind for rides: photographs of fixated wheelchairs are added to service processes, which, when combined with complete tract records, protect both drivers and passengers.
• The features listed above show that a single website is available for people with disabilities and mobility issues to pre-book a car. It is also guaranteed that iTaxi pick-up and delivery services are fair at no additional cost; through automatic scheduling linked to the number of trips, so that specialized wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT) businesses are included in the iTaxi service model without affecting businesses’ existing models; and by targeting competent authorities, operational subsidy effectiveness is implemented, services are optimized, and the industry is improved. To meet daily transportation needs, expand living and social fields, and blend into society, a friendly transportation environment for those with mobility difficulties is created.

Summary of Research Results

Contract System Operational Mechanism

Attend the Cares Taipei from November 18~November 20, 2021

iTaxi advocacy video

Research Result Report

• Implement the Contract System of Accessible Taxis (1/2) – System Expansion and Cross-Ministries /Agencies Cooperation Planning and Implementation (Scheduled to be published in July 2023)