King County wants wheelchair accessible taxis

King County has issued a Request for Proposal aimed at interested taxicab driver groups who would like to operate Wheelchair Accessible Taxicabs. After conducting an assessment of current services, the county and the city have determined there is a need for additional wheelchair accessible service to improve response times for disabled customers.

“This Request for Proposal will improve access to the community and to services for many of our residents who depend on public transportation, taxis, and friends and family to be mobile,” said Executive Constantine. “Issuing these 15 licenses will not cost the county more money, and it will make a vast improvement in the quality of life for our disabled residents.”

The 15 new licenses will require the operators to provide services to both passengers using mobility devices and those who don’t need mobility assistance. Drivers will be allowed to pick up passengers in Seattle, unincorporated King County, and cities located in King County that have signed an interlocal agreement with King County for taxicab regulation, including Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Covington, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, Maple Valley, SeaTac, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, and Shoreline.

The Request for Proposal was issued on Thursday, May 27, and will close on Thursday, July 8. A provider will be selected after mid-September, with licenses issued thereafter. 

Information from Dow Constantine's staff