People With and Without Disabilities to Ride Together... Seoul City Introduces 'Universal Design Taxi'

Starting Next Month, 12 UD Taxis to Be Introduced
Integration of Disability Services and General Taxi Operations
First Domestically Produced Wheelchair-Accessible 'PV5'

Seoul City is introducing the nation’s first transportation model where people with and without disabilities can share the same taxi service.

On June 28, Seoul City announced that it will begin a pilot operation of the “Universal Design Taxi,” which combines mobility support services for people with disabilities and general taxi operations, starting July 1.

UD Taxi scene. Seoul City

As of April 2026, Seoul’s population aged 65 and over stands at approximately 1.94 million, accounting for 20.3% of the total population. In addition, the number of rides using taxi vouchers for people with disabilities is rapidly increasing, rising from 480,000 in 2022 to 1.44 million in 2025, nearly tripling over three years, reflecting the growing demand for transportation among vulnerable groups.

However, there is still a shortage of taxis that these groups can conveniently use in their daily lives. The significance of this project lies in presenting a new transportation model that goes beyond simply increasing separate services for people with disabilities, aiming to provide a shared mobility option for various citizens, including the elderly and those with temporary mobility challenges.

The Universal Design vehicle is Kia’s “PV5 WAV” model, the first domestically produced wheelchair-accessible mobility (Purpose Built Vehicle, PBV). It features a 740mm-wide, two-step foldable ramp, allowing users of manual and powered wheelchairs to board and disembark via the side door. The vehicle also includes a wheelchair securement system and a spacious interior, enabling both wheelchair users and their caregivers to travel together in the same space.

The pilot project will run with a fleet of 12 vehicles from July to December 2026. The operation will follow a two-phase approach. In the first phase, priority dispatch service will be offered to people with severe mobility disabilities (members of the Disability Call Taxi service), with each vehicle available for up to 100 rides per month. Users can apply through the Seoul Facilities Corporation Mobility Support Center.

In the second phase, after a vehicle completes its 100 monthly rides, it will be converted to general taxi service, allowing non-disabled citizens to use the vehicle via app-based reservations or street hailing. In this case, the standard mid-size taxi fare will apply.

Private taxi companies will purchase and operate the vehicles, while Seoul City will provide subsidies for rides by people with disabilities, making this a public-private partnership transportation service model. During the pilot period, the city will comprehensively analyze user satisfaction and usage data to determine whether to expand the program in the future.

Jangkwon Yeo, head of the Transportation Bureau of Seoul City, stated, “The UD Taxi is a new transportation model that anyone, regardless of disability, can use together. Based on the results of this pilot operation, we will closely analyze user feedback and operational performance to develop this into a Seoul-standard taxi model that ensures convenient mobility for everyone.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.