Wheelchair Users Face Triple Fares Amid Lack of Regulation on Accessible Taxis in Israel

Passengers using wheelchairs in Israel report paying fares up to three times higher than those for regular taxis, sparking complaints about unfair pricing. While ordering a taxi is usually quick and affordable for most Israelis, wheelchair users often face exorbitant costs, with some paying around 140 shekels for a one-kilometer trip that would cost others only about 40 shekels. These passengers say they have no choice or bargaining power, effectively trapped by the need for accessible vehicles. This situation contradicts the Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law, which prohibits discrimination and mandates equal service for all passengers.

Yehuda Bar-Or, chairman of the Taxi Drivers Organization, told Channel 7 that the core issue is the lack of oversight. He explained that most accessible taxis are operated by shuttle companies rather than traditional taxi stations, resulting in no effective price or service regulation. Bar-Or revealed he had previously proposed to the Ministry of Transportation and Knesset committees to transfer accessible taxi operations to taxi stations, where both regular and accessible taxis would operate under regulated pricing. However, this proposal was rejected.

Bar-Or also refuted claims of a shortage of accessible vehicles, stating there are about a thousand such taxis available. He emphasized that without proper supervision, companies set inflated prices, burdening disabled passengers. He urged the government to assign responsibility to taxi stations and enforce regulation to ensure fair and equal service for all passengers requiring accessible taxis.