The City of West Hollywood recently implemented several enhancements to its taxi subsidy program. The City’s newly reorganized Taxi Assistance Program is designed to provide freedom and mobility to seniors and people with disabilities for a minimal cost. Program enhancements took effect on Wednesday, April 1, 2015.
West Hollywood is increasing the subsidy offered to participants in its Taxi Assistance Program.
For every $8 an individual pays, he or she receives $50 in taxi fare. Users have the option of purchasing up to two increments (which equals $100 in taxi fare for $16 in payments) per month. In addition, the maximum “per-trip fare” has been increased to $25 to ensure that participants can travel the distance they need for medical appointments, family visits and other excursions. Payments are made using a debit-style card.
The newly improved program also will include a new Taxi Driver Recognition program to promote high service standards and positive reinforcement to drivers who provide excellent passenger.
There are seven franchised taxicab companies operating in the City of West Hollywood with 530 vehicles “sealed” for operation. Authorized taxis feature an official City of West Hollywood taxi decal, which is generally displayed on the right rear bumper area. Each vehicle issued a decal is fully insured and is inspected annuallym and drivers are subject to background checks and must pass an initial written examination.
More information regarding the Taxi Assistance Program, including a mail-in application form, is available online. For general questions regarding taxis, please call the city’s Taxicab Hotline at (323) 848-6893. For additional information about the Taxi Assistance Program, please call Francisco Gomez, Transportation Program dministrator, at (323) 848-6454. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
As a resident who accesses this great program, I am gratified that the amounts have been increased. CAVEAT: Make certain that when you call the authorized cab company that you tell the dispatcher you have a Taxi Debit Card and the driver MUST know how to operate the system. I say this because in the last year or so, I have had some very negative experiences, as in: drivers refusing to accept the debit card, truly verbal abuse from some drivers, etc. I brought these matters to the attention of those at WeHo City Hall who oversee this program and… Read more »