The
Straits Times understands that at least four cabs have started to pick up
passengers.
In
all, 15 are expected to be in service by the end of the
month.
The
fleet, which will grow to 30 by August, will replace the existing
15 London cabs, which are being phased out this month after their
eight-year licences run out.
SMRT,
which operates the service, initially planned to phase them out
last year.
But
the decision triggered an uproar among wheelchair-bound commuters,
who highlighted the lack of transport options for the disabled
here.
The
roomy vehicle is the only type of taxi in Singapore that can
accommodate high-backed, motorised wheelchairs.
The
Government later extended the leases of the vehicles by a year.
Last year, SMRT was awarded a $3.1 million grant from the
Government to bring in a new fleet of London
cabs.
The
Straits Times understands that the new taxis are a uniform white,
unlike the old ones which come in a variety of colours such as
champagne gold and pink.
Wheelchair-bound commuters, who lobbied hard to
keep the service, were looking forward to the arrival of the new
fleet.
Some
drivers said they had bookings that came in as early as three days
ago. The new cabs can now be booked just two days in advance,
instead of at least three previously.
University student Bao Yang tried out the new
taxi yesterday, as he travelled from his home in Jurong West to
Chinese Garden.
The
20-year-old, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, has been taking
the London cab to school almost daily for the last seven
years.
"The
ride is less bumpy and more comfortable because of the new engine
and interior fittings, but it largely looks the same," said the
Nanyang Technological University student.
Drivers, however, were concerned about the higher
rental for the new vehicles - about
$120 to $130 a day compared to about $110
previously.
"We
were told the increase is due to rising costs. Hopefully, there
will be enough bookings to cover this as there are now more London
cabs on the roads," said a driver, who declined to be named as he
did not have clearance from his company.
But
fares for passengers are expected to remain the same. They pay the
metered fare on top of a $10 booking fee or $18 advance booking
fee.
Disabled mouth-painter Gilbert Tan still felt
that 30 of such cabs here is too few.
Said
the 52-year-old, who has been using the service for the last 20
years: "It is indispensable to us because even if some of us can
travel by bus or MRT, there are places buses and trains don't go
to. Yet, there are so few
cabs for so many of us."
Some
have proposed having a dedicated transport service run by a few
major transport providers for the disabled.
