What is a Welfare Taxi? Comprehensive Guide to Usage, Fees, and Differences from Nursing Care Taxis!

Transportation options such as trains, buses, and taxis are essential for going out.

However, for individuals with disabilities or the elderly, who may have physical limitations, transportation options are limited, making it difficult to go out freely.

This is where welfare taxis, a service that makes transportation barrier-free for people with disabilities, come into play.

It's an indispensable service for going wherever you want, whenever you want, to live a joyful life.

In fact, welfare taxis offer more than just "transportation."

This time, we will provide a clear explanation of welfare taxis.

1. What is a Welfare Taxi?

1-1. Service Details

A welfare taxi refers to a service that allows individuals with physical disabilities to receive assistance when boarding and alighting, enabling them to travel.

These vehicles allow passengers to board while remaining in their wheelchairs, minimizing physical strain and ensuring a safe and comfortable journey in their usual posture.

By requesting a driver who has completed initial training, you can also receive direct care as a helper.

Unlike regular taxis, you can request assistance with transfers related to preparing for outings, accompaniment to medical appointments, and shopping for daily necessities.

Some providers also offer wheelchair and stretcher rentals, allowing those who find it difficult to walk for long periods to enjoy outings freely by renting these aids.

1-2. Welfare Taxi Usage Fees

The cost of a welfare taxi is calculated by combining the fare and care costs.

The fare can be calculated based on distance or time, and it varies by provider.

Additionally, care costs cover assistance with outing preparations and boarding/alighting, and there may be additional costs for medical appointments or shopping, so please be aware.

If you rent a wheelchair or stretcher, rental fees will also be added.

Compared to regular taxis, the fees are higher, which may make frequent use difficult for some individuals with disabilities due to financial reasons.

However, welfare taxis offer a 10% discount on usage fees nationwide when a disability certificate is presented.

Furthermore, some municipalities distribute welfare taxi vouchers.

For example, in Hiroshima City, where the author lives, the following individuals with disabilities are eligible.

Eligible individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities receive 52 vouchers worth 500 yen each, while those with mental disabilities receive 58 vouchers.

Reference: Severe Disability Welfare Taxi Usage Assistance｜Hiroshima City

These vouchers can only be used with taxi operators contracted with the municipality, so please check with your local government for more details.

1-3. Usage Conditions and How to Use

Welfare taxis are available for elderly individuals and people with disabilities who require support or care. They can be used regardless of whether you have a disability certificate.

Additionally, individuals with injuries or illnesses, such as fractures, can also use the service.

However, since it is a reservation-only service, you cannot use a welfare taxi you see on the street without prior booking.

You need to make a reservation in advance by phone, providing your destination, time, and any necessary assistance.

2. Common Questions About Using Welfare Taxis

2-1. What is the Difference Between a Welfare Taxi and a Care Taxi?

A similar service to welfare taxis is the care taxi.

Care taxis are part of a home-visit care service called "boarding and alighting assistance for medical appointments" (commonly known as "medical appointment boarding assistance").

They are intended for elderly individuals certified as needing care, and to use them, a care plan notification under the long-term care insurance is required. Therefore, insurance may cover some costs, reducing the user's financial burden.

However, some municipalities have strict rules, such as not allowing accompaniment to medical appointments, so it is recommended to check these details before using the service.

2-2. Can Family Members Ride Along?

In principle, care taxis do not allow family members to ride along. Additionally, they cannot be used for private purposes, which, while reducing economic burden, also limits flexibility.

On the other hand, welfare taxis allow family members, friends, helpers, and there are no restrictions on companions.

They can be used freely by individuals with physical limitations for outings with family or friends.

3. Simulating the Use of a Welfare Taxi

To find a welfare taxi, it is advisable to consult with a care manager or support coordinator.

Alternatively, searching for "welfare taxi" on Google Maps may help you find registered providers.

Before using the service, you need to communicate your physical condition, necessary care, wheelchair size, and other relevant details.

Then, provide information such as the time, destination, and number of passengers for the day of use to complete the reservation.

At the specified time, the welfare taxi will arrive and assist with preparations for going out.

During this time, they may assist with transfers from bed to wheelchair, toileting assistance, and other necessary support for departure, providing peace of mind for those living alone.

4. Insights from Professionals Operating Welfare Taxis: What to Know Before Using the Service

I asked a welfare taxi operator I use for some tips on using the service.

When looking for a welfare taxi, you may wonder what criteria to use.

It is especially important to check the fees in advance.

The fare for a welfare taxi is calculated based on distance or time, with care costs added.

However, fees can vary significantly between providers.

Particularly, care fees can differ greatly, and you may receive a large bill after using the service.

It is important to get a rough estimate of the fees in advance and, if necessary, obtain multiple quotes to avoid any issues.

Additionally, the content of care services can vary between providers, so make sure to confirm whether you can receive the necessary physical care in advance.

The availability of services such as accompaniment to medical appointments or shopping also varies, so it is necessary to ask about the availability of these services and the hourly service fees.

5. Two Nationwide Welfare Taxi and Universal Design Taxi Operators!

5-1. Daiichi Koutsu Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Daiichi Koutsu Sangyo Co., Ltd. is a taxi operator with over 8,000 taxis in 34 prefectures.

Additionally, they offer the following welfare vehicles, primarily in Kitakyushu.

Taxi fares and assistance fees apply, but the service can be used for medical appointments, hospital admissions and discharges, attending weddings, funerals, reunions, and more.

They also offer services such as supporting wheelchair access in environments with no elevators or stairs at the entrance of public housing.

Reference: Care Taxi & Services｜Daiichi Koutsu Sangyo
Reference: Daiichi Anshin Service

5-2. Nihon Kotsu Co., Ltd.

Nihon Kotsu Co., Ltd. is a long-established company with over 95 years of history and is Japan's largest taxi operator by group sales.

They operate around 9,000 taxis and hire cars in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Kansai region.

They are also known for their active involvement in CSR activities and sustainability initiatives, aiming to create a society where everyone can move comfortably.

As part of this effort, they offer the EDS (Expert Driver Service)®.

EDS is a service that provides "the joy and fun that only taxis can offer, along with daily safety and security," and includes the "Support Taxi" for convenient wheelchair travel.

The JPN TAXI model can accommodate up to 2 people, including 1 wheelchair user and 1 companion.

As a universal design taxi, it is equipped with the following features:

• Left-side boarding assist grip
• Right-side strap-type assist grip
• Seat-back assist board
• Child grip
• Wheelchair boarding ramp

Additionally, EDS offers the convenience of having a driver who has completed initial caregiver training accompany and support daily life travel.

Support Taxis require advance reservations and are available on a time-based charter system.

The initial 1-hour fee is 7,360 yen (fare: 5,360 yen, support charge: 2,000 yen), with an additional fee of 2,950 yen for every 30 minutes thereafter (fare: 2,450 yen, support charge: 500 yen).

Note that Support Taxis are not exactly the same as welfare taxis; while regular welfare taxis charge care fees based on additional services, Support Taxis only charge the fare and support charge.

Also, please note that there are no one-box or wagon-type welfare vehicles, and assistance is provided by a single driver.

Reference: Support Taxi｜Nihon Kotsu EDS

6. Alternative Transportation Methods to Welfare Taxis | Renting a Welfare Vehicle with a Wheelchair

As an alternative to using welfare taxis, you can rent a welfare vehicle.

The following major rental car companies offer welfare vehicles under names like Universal Car or Welcab:

• Toyota Rent a Car
• Nippon Rent-A-Car
• ORIX Rent a Car
• Times Car Rental
• Sky Rent a Car
• Carstar Rent a Car
• If Rent a Car
• Budget Rent a Car

In addition to these, there are also local operators that rent welfare vehicles.

When using a welfare vehicle, prepare necessary items like wheelchairs or canes in addition to the usual preparations for renting a car.

Welfare vehicles are limited in number and generally require advance reservations, so make your rental reservation as soon as your plans are set.

For more details on renting welfare vehicles, please refer to the following article.

Reference:

7. Conclusion

Regular taxis have had the issue of not being able to physically assist passengers, making them inaccessible for those needing care.

Welfare taxis have achieved barrier-free transportation by being operated by certified caregivers.

Sometimes acting as a helper, sometimes accompanying you on shopping trips.

Beyond just a transportation service, they are a strong ally for those living in the community, providing essential services for people with disabilities, the elderly, and those with injuries.

We hope this article encourages you to use welfare taxis and explore places inaccessible by public transportation.

Ayumi also features articles on barrier-free outing spots.

If you live in the Kanto region, please refer to the following article.

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