MV-1 The Accessible Taxi of Tomorrow
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2011/07/11 - Updated: 2024/06/18
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Public Disability Transport - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: The MV-1 is the first mobility vehicle designed to provide accessible transportation to fleets municipalities and individuals with physical challenges. The government is recognizing more highway vehicles (buses, transit buses, motor coaches, taxis, physically-disabled-passenger vehicles, and school buses) need to be accessible to meet the community's current and future needs.
Introduction
Accessible taxis would serve a growing market and be a huge step towards Toronto becoming "Transit City". The Canadian distributor of the MV-1, hopes Toronto's Licensing and Standards Committee assesses the benefits of accessibility in choosing a standard taxicab for Toronto's streets.
Main Item
The Taxi of Tomorrow contest being proposed by Toronto Councilor Denzil Minnan-Wong is inspired by New York City's two-year-long Taxi of Tomorrow campaign. That contest was created to leverage the purchasing power of the taxicab industry to manufacture a safe, environmentally sustainable and comfortable cab for NYC passengers and drivers.
"The city of Toronto has a moral and economic responsibility to require that the standard taxi is wheelchair accessible", says Nick Grande. "Many of Toronto's subway stations lack elevators and the City's Wheel Trans program is expensive to operate, often carrying fewer wheelchair passengers than its capacity. Choosing a fully accessible taxi, like London's black cabs, would improve public service and relieve the burden on the city's Para transit program which will only increase with our aging population".
As Globe Drive's Michael Vaughan wrote on July 8th:
"The stage is set for the MV-1 as stricter transportation accessibility standards are on the horizon".
The government is recognizing more highway vehicles (buses, transit buses, motor coaches, taxis, physically-disabled-passenger vehicles, and school buses) need to be accessible to meet the community's current and future needs.
As Toronto vies for more international events such as the Pan Am Games, standard accessible transportation will only add to the City's image and attractiveness.
About the MV-1
The MV-1 is the first true mobility vehicle designed to provide accessible transportation to fleets, municipalities and individuals with physical challenges. The MV-1 is the first factory-built mobility vehicle engineered from the ground up for wheelchair accessibility that meets or exceeds the stringent vehicle guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Canadian equivalent D-409 safety standards.
The MV-1 features a unique deployable access ramp, a spacious entryway, and a large interior seating a wheelchair and six passengers comfortably. In addition, the MV-1 offers an OEM-engineered and assembled dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) power-train option that can significantly reduce operating expenses and carbon emissions.
Related Information
- 2014 Production Launch of Accessible MV-1 Vehicle: Mobility Ventures LLC launches production of 2014 MV-1 universally accessible vehicle with vehicles currently being processed for shipment to its nationwide MV-1 dealer network.
- First Factory Built MV-1 Mobility Vehicle Rolls Off Production Line: MV-1 is the first mobility vehicle factory built and assembled which meets or exceeds vehicle guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- NYC Adds 147 New MV-1's to Access-A-Ride Fleet: New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority adds another 147 new MV-1s to its Access-A-Ride fleet.
- New Wheelchair Accessible MV-1 Empire Taxi for NYC: Fully wheelchair accessible the MV-1 Empire Taxi provides more legroom and luggage space than other taxi vehicles operating in New York City.
- MV-1 Is the First Factory Built Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle: A new American car company and manufacturer of the MV-1, is launching a national road show, The MV-1 Wheels Across America Tour.
- Chicago Taxi Fleet Adds 50 Wheelchair Accessible MV-1s: Chicago to add approximately 50 MV-1 wheelchair-accessible taxis to boost public transportation options for Chicago area residents with disabilities.
- Debut of First Factory-Built Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Coincides With ADA 20th Anniversary: Vehicle features deployable access ramp with a 1,200-pound capacity spacious 36-inch entryway and roomy interior.
Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.