New Transportation Service for People with Disabilities in Odesa
As of October 1, 2024, Odesa has 63,000 residents with disabilities, including over 4,500 with mobility impairments, 5,229 children with disabilities, and nearly 1,000 individuals with visual impairments.
To create favorable conditions for barrier-free movement for individuals with mobility impairments, visually impaired individuals, and children with disabilities, a new social service called «Social Taxi» has been implemented in accordance with the decision of the Executive Committee of the Odesa City Council.
This service will be provided free of charge and represents another significant step towards ensuring equal opportunities for all residents of Odesa.
According to Olena Kytainska, the director of the Department of Labor and Social Policy, taxi orders can be made via the short number 15-01 three days prior to the trip. The service can be used up to 10 times a month.
«At the launch of this important project, we have 6 vehicles equipped for transporting individuals with disabilities. These include 2 cars purchased under the city program, 2 vehicles provided by our partners from Regensburg, and 2 cars from the NGO "Barrier-Free," with which we have signed a memorandum,» said Hennadii Trukhanov.
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The «Social Taxi» service is available for travel within Odesa from residents' homes to local government bodies, medical institutions, courts, educational institutions, and other essential locations. The service operates on working days from 08:30 to 17:30, with a maximum wait time of 2 hours. Cancellations must be made at least 2 hours before the scheduled time.
Note
The transportation service for citizens suffering from chronic kidney failure is provided by the Municipal Health Institution «Emergency Medical Care Center» upon the request of a family doctor.
