Porto extends 2-euro taxi rides for seniors heading to healthcare centres

The practice was first applied to boost COVID vaccinations

Porto authorities have decided to extend the provision of taxi services costing only 2 euros to citizens over the age of 65 who would like to go to a healthcare centre or a hospital. The Municipality intends to sign a contract with cab companies (on 21 February) to subsidize the service.

Almost a year ago it was introduced with a view to encouraging the vaccination drive against COVID among the elderly. It was only available for trips to the vaccination centres.

The initiative was considered to have been a success. The reasoning behind it went that senior citizens were generally more prone to have issues with mobility and to require assistance to get to different places. Furthermore, many of them felt more anxiety about using public transport during pandemic times.

The same as the price of a bus ticket

The agreement to be signed with the Raditáxis and Táxis Invicta stations will be valid for a period of one year and will involve support from the Municipality of Porto in the order of 265 thousand euros.

If approved, the Táxi Saúde + 65 program will allow these citizens to travel between their homes and the hospitals or health units of the National Health Service and private hospitals in Porto by taxi for the price corresponding to the occasional ticket purchased on board a bus, two euros. The single amount of two euros per trip will apply to citizens aged 65 or over, holders of a Porto transit card and up to a limit of 12 trips per year.

“The public transport service by taxi allows a comfortable journey for citizens over 65 years of age, who in many cases have limitations in terms of mobility, and this service can be requested in advance by telephone in a transport-on-demand model,” explained Cristina Pimentel, Porto Councilor for Transport and Social Action.