Wheelchair-accessible taxis coming to the District

For the first time, wheelchair-accessible taxis will be available in D.C.

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board approved the decision on Wednesday.

D.C. will receive $1 million in funding to buy 21 new wheelchair-accessible vehicles, including minivans. The funding will also support a central dispatch system so passengers will only need to call one number to get a wheelchair-accessible cab.

An additional $1.5 million will go toward escorted rides for people with disabilities, public transportation training programs, low-interest car loans and other transportation services for low-income and disabled people.

Most of the funding is coming from the Federal Transit Administration. The D.C. Taxicab Commission will also provide some matching funds for the project.

Currently, none of the city's 6,500 cabs can transport people in wheelchairs who require a ramp or lift to get into a car.

Cabs in Alexandria, Arlington, Montgomery and Prince George's counties already have wheelchair-accessible service.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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