Santander implements the taxi voucher for people with disabilities
The Santander City Council and the Cantabrian Taxi Federation have signed the agreement for the launch of the taxi voucher as of January 1, 2021.
These financial aid will help people with disabilities who cannot use collective transport to use this means of transport in the city.
From Tuesday, November 10, 2020, they can be requested at the Social Services of said community.
Each taxi voucher will have a unit value of 2 euros, will be valid for one year (until December 31, 2021). These taxi vouchers may be used by these people to pay the taxi driver at the time of service.
The number of bonotaxi delivered to each person will depend on their income level.
Thus, those people whose income is below the Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM); which in 2020 stands at 568.60 euros per month, they can receive up to 250 vouchers for a total value of 500 euros.
Those who do not reach 1.5 of the IPREM will receive 125 vouchers-taxi, which add up to 250 euros, and those who are up to twice this income index will receive 75 vouchers (150 euros).
Also present at the signing of the taxi voucher agreement were the vice president of the Taxi Federation, David Arozamena, and the councilor for Social Services, Álvaro Lavín.
How does the voucher-taxi service work?
The beneficiaries will deliver the taxis vouchers to the taxi drivers as consideration for the transport; They will be able to use all the vouchers-taxis that are required by service.
When the amount of the trip made requires it, they must pay in currency the difference that results between the price of the trip and the value of the taxis provided.
Nor will they be able to deliver a number of vouchers that add an amount greater than the service since in no case will the taxi driver return in cash the difference between the cost of the trip and the taxis vouchers provided.
Taxis vouchers may be used for taxi services or transportation within the municipality of Santander. They will be for personal and non-transferable use although, however, the person may be accompanied on their journeys.
Who can benefit from the taxi voucher?
People with disabilities with difficulties in the use of collective transport who are registered in Santander for at least two years and who have a legally recognized disability that prevents or makes it difficult to use collective transport may benefit from this ‘taxi voucher’.
Other requirements will be not to have their own vehicle adapted for driving by a person with a motor disability, in the case of applicants over 18 years of age; that, if they own that adapted vehicle, they do not have a driving license; or that, being the owner of the adapted vehicle and being in possession of the driver’s license, is unable to drive.
This grant will be compatible with any other mobility aid or subsidy. For the launch of the voucher-taxi, the City Council contributes an amount of 40,000 euros.
A similar project for older people
In addition, the mayor and the president of the Cantabrian Taxi Federation, Manu Andoni Ruiz, have announced that they are studying the possibility of, in the future, establishing a similar bonus to help older people to go to the doctor.
In the act of signing the agreement, Igual explained that the objective of this initiative – agreed with CERMI – is to help people with disabilities who cannot access urban transport so that they can move “from point to point” through of the taxi, a means that is also, as he has stressed “a public service.”
Likewise, he has pointed out that Santander is an “inclusive city” and, therefore, all the people who live in it must be given an initiative to help improve their environment and the service they receive and enhance their autonomy.
In addition, it contributes, according to Igual, to help and express the “sensitivity” of the City Council with the taxi sector, one of the “punished” by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
An initiative that comes at a “difficult” time for the taxi
For his part, the president of the Cantabrian Taxi Federation, Manu Andoni Ruiz, congratulated himself on the signing of this agreement that enables the ‘taxi voucher’ to be launched after a process that has been “very long.”
Ruiz also stressed that this initiative comes at a “very difficult” time for the sector, which is currently regulated at 50% “because work does not give more of itself” due to the health crisis.
“It will be a very important economic injection for the sector,” said the president of the Federation. In addition, you have hoped that it will have a “good acceptance” by users.
Ruiz believes that it will “greatly promote mobility” of people with disabilities who cannot access collective transport.
He has also indicated that the city’s taxi drivers are “waiting” to see how Santander’s aid will be articulated for the acquisition of ecological vehicles and for adaptation to people with reduced mobility.
“I am very sure that it will be very well received,” said Ruiz. In addition, he explained that the sector tends more and more to the purchase of ecological vehicles, especially hybrids.
As for the electric ones, he explained that there are still not many recharging points in the city, although there are a couple of them at the stops.
As he has said, right now more than 40% of the city’s fleet is ecological.
Santander implements the taxi voucher for people with disabilities
