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Mobility for all: VSPV and SoVD jointly campaign for the inclusion taxi.
The Association of private commercial road passenger transport in North Rhine-Westphalia (VSPV) and the Social Association of Germany (SoVD) want to change that now. In a joint initiative they demand the enshrinement of the "Inclusion Taxi" in the Social Code – and thus fare-free transportation for eligible persons.
A right that exists on paper – but not for everyone
"Nationwide, about 7.9 million people live with an officially recognized severe disability," says Sascha Waltemate, managing director of the VSPV.
This corresponds to 9.3 percent of the population. Almost half of them are between 55 and 74 years old, a further third older than 75. Many suffer from physical impairments: In eleven percent arms or legs are functionally impaired, four percent are blind or visually impaired, another four percent have hearing or balance disorders.
"For these people, boarding a bus or train is often not enough," emphasizes Waltemate. "They need an accessible door-to-door service."
However, while the Social Code IX obliges operators of public local transport to transport severely disabled people with the corresponding ID free of charge – including accompanying persons and aids –, this rule does not apply to taxis. “That is a contradiction,” says Michaela Engelmeier, chairwoman of SoVD and spokesperson for the German Disabled Council.
“Taxis are part of public transport and could ensure inclusion directly in urban and rural environments.” The SoVD has already engaged in regional projects, for example in Berlin, for barrier-free mobility. “But we need a nationwide solution under federal political responsibility.”
Joint Initiative: A Move with Signaling Impact
In a joint discussion in Berlin, VSPV and SoVD have now decided to address Federal Minister of Labour Bärbel Bas (SPD) directly. The goal is to anchor the inclusion taxi in the Social Code—and thus create the legal basis for free transport.
“If accessible taxis are defined as part of the public local transport, the prerequisite for fare-free transport would be met,” explains Engelmeier.
But that's not enough: The associations also demand a federal program that fully funds the acquisition and the barrier-free conversion of taxis. A “Round Table” involving the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Transport, the states, municipalities, mobility and social associations, as well as the councils for the disabled, should accompany the legislative process, initiate model projects and coordinate nationwide implementation.
Political Deadlock: Who Is Responsible?
That the path there will be long is clear to those involved. Patrick Meinhardt, the General Authorized Signatory of the VSPV, knows the hurdles:
„When we talk about mobility justice and participation, we find open doors with those responsible in Berlin and the states. But as soon as it comes to concrete initiatives, the social policymakers point to the transport policymakers, they to the financial policymakers – and all together to the states or the federal government.“
To break through this “maze of competencies,” a direct approach to the responsible minister is the right way.
„It is rare that a cause close to the heart is presented jointly by a social association and a business association,“ says Meinhardt. „That gives us weight.“
A Project with Social Responsibility
The demand for an Inclusion Taxi is more than a transport policy debate. It touches the question of how a society organises participation for all – and who bears the costs. While the associations now hope for movement in politics, the situation for millions of people with severe disabilities remains unchanged: Without barrier-free and affordable mobility, participation in social life remains for many an incomplete promise.
The discussion about the Inclusion Taxi is a discussion about fundamental rights – and about the question of how seriously Germany takes inclusion. The taxi could play a central role in this – if policymakers are willing to treat it as such.
Content automatically translated.
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