Metro Taxi, Connecticut’s largest, full-service taxi company, recently unveiled a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station and rolled out its new Metro Access wheelchair-accessible taxi that is powered by CNG. Also known as the “MV-1,” the taxi is a universal access vehicle that offers the public a modern cab with generous head-, leg- and cargo-room. The taxi comfortably seats four passengers and includes space for two wheelchairs.
Unlike paratransit, taxis are available on demand, 24/7. Metro Taxi is Connecticut’s first taxicab company to partner with a transit district to offer passengers with disabilities a 50 percent discount up to $100 dollars a month. The New Freedom Fund Taxi Voucher Program, administered by The Greater New Haven Transit District (GNHTD), goes well beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by waiving the three-quarter mile restriction that is used to determine eligibility for use of the GNHTD paratranist service.
With just a $25.00 minimum deposit, you will get a $50.00 credit on a Metro Access debit card with no expiration date. Metro Access passengers may call (203) 777- 7777 for on demand transportation or may flag one down. Those who drive Metro Access have additional training to assist persons who use wheelchairs with boarding and deboarding and have been taught their ADA-compliant responsibilities and disability etiquette.
Consider that riding in a Metro Access cab will cost the same fare as any taxi and will cost much less than using a private wheelchair transportation service. To comply with Department of Transportation guidelines, one may use Metro Access as long as the ride begins or ends within Metro Taxi’s service areas: Meriden, Wallingford, Hamden, North Haven, North Branford, Guilford, Branford, East Haven, New Haven, Woodbridge, West Haven, Orange, Milford, Stratford, Trumbull, and Bridgeport.
Log onto Metro Access to learn more www.metrotaxict.com, or call GNHTD to apply for the New Freedom Fund Taxi Voucher Program 203-288-6282.