The 2013 China (Shenzhen) International Logistics and Transportation Fair (CILF) was inaugurated on October 14 in Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center. Geely’s Englon TX4 barrier-free taxi was unveiled on the exhibition and attracted many visitors.

The long-awaited Shenzhen barrier-free taxi plan has finally made new progresses on October 14. The Transport Commission of Shenzhen Municipality (TCSM) disclosed that, Englon TX4 barrier-free taxi, the one that will be launched in Shenzhen, would make public appearance on the eighth CILF. This is also the first confirmation of the vehicle type of barrier-free taxi by the TCSM. 100 barrier-free taxis, whose charging standard stays same with that of the normal taxi, will be launched in this year as planned, so as to serve disabled customers and elderly customers, as well as normal customers, as stated by the TCSM.

Live experience: wheelchair can be pushed into the taxi

Compared with normal taxi, Geely’s Englon TX4 is obviously taller and longer, with a head styled as British vintage car, a front face in waterfall grille design, and two round headlamps. TX4’s interior space is also more spacious than normal car.

There is no assistant driver seat in the car, for TX4 adopts British design, which considers assistant driver seat as the most insecure seat, according to the on-site introduction. The space of the assistant driver seat is now used for luggage storage instead, thereby ensuring the safety of driver and passenger, as well as convenient to fetch luggage.

The back row allows 5 passengers to sit opposite. If a passenger with average height sits on the seat, he or she is still 20 cm away from the car roof. The most important design is the 90-degree back door, as well as a folding ramp and step, and rotatable seats, facilitating passengers with disabilities to get on and off.

A live demonstration was made on the CILF: lay down the ramp, push one passenger in his wheelchair into the car, pack up the ramp, and fix the wheelchair with safety device; after which the back row can still accommodate 2 normal passengers. Repeated on-site tests show that it usually takes 3-5 minutes for a disabled passenger to wheel in the car.

The long-awaited Shenzhen barrier-free taxi plan has finally made new progresses on October 14. The Transport Commission of Shenzhen Municipality (TCSM) disclosed that, the Englon TX4 barrier-free taxi, the one that will be launched in Shenzhen, would make its public appearance on the eighth CILF.

Shenzhen will launch 100 TX4 taxis this year

TX4 is produced by a joint venture in Shanghai which is co-owned by Geely and Manganese Bronze Holdings PLC and has been put into operation in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.

According to the TCSM, “at least 100” barrier-free taxis will be launched this year as planned, and all work has been carried forward in order. Theoretically, the charging standard of barrier-free taxi would remain the same with that of the normal taxi, which is the case in Guangzhou and Hangzhou. However, the operating cost of barrier-free taxi is different from that of the normal taxi; hence the different monthly rent and driver’s income. The charging details will be left to the operating company which is also responsible for purchasing vehicles. The standard price of Englon TX4 is 208,000 yuan with fuel consumption of 15.7 mpg, which are much higher compared with normal taxi.

As for the specific operating company and operating mode, various bidding schemes have already been submitted to Shenzhen municipal government, and barrier-free taxi is still considered as replacement resources for Shenzhen to reform its public transportation system, as TCSM stated. 

Current electric taxis in Shenzhen are in red, green and blue colors, then how about the barrier-free taxis? Reporter learned that five colors are available: red, phantom blue, black, yellow and ocean blue. Citizens could vote for their favorite colors on the CILF. It turns out that red and yellow are much more popular.

Both Reservation and “wave and stop” modes are available

Reporter also interviewed several citizens on their opinions toward the barrier-free taxi. Although interviewees acknowledged the benefits of this taxi for the public good, they had different opinions on its future. More than one interviewee thought that barrier-free taxi just serves passengers in wheelchair and worried about the business of this taxi. However, reporter also learned that barrier-free taxi is quite popular in foreign countries, bringing convenience not only to disabled customers, but also wheelchair-bound seniors, tourists with much luggage, and mothers with baby carriage.

According to the TCSM, the operating mode of barrier-free taxi will include both reservation and “wave and stop” modes. Passengers can make telephone reservations to ensure the priorities of disabled passengers and elderly passengers. On the other hand, drivers will hit the road to pick up normal passengers when there is no reservation. Nevertheless, passengers with mobility problems will always be considered first according to the rule.