SMRT Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hong Kong taxi provider, Diamond Cab on 16 May 2014. This MOU aims to raise awareness of wheelchair-friendly taxi services in both Singapore and Hong Kong, to facilitate planning for such local transport services when passengers travel between the two countries.

With this collaboration, the official websites of SMRT and Diamond Cab will incorporate each other's corporate website links and service information, allowing Singapore and Hong Kong passengers to conveniently book wheelchair-friendly taxis in both cities.

SMRT Corporation's Senior Vice President for Roads Business, Benny Lim said, "This partnership is one of our many efforts to bring our commuters the best travelling experience. The move underscores SMRT's core mission of "Moving People, Enhancing Lives". We hope to provide visitors from Hong Kong a seamless travel experience in Singapore, and our partner Diamond Cab will offer a reciprocal service to Singaporean wheelchair visitors to Hong Kong."

SMRT is the perfect partner to Diamond Cab. It doubled its fleet of London taxis to 30 in July 2013 to boost local wheelchair accessibility services. This is the only type of taxi in Singapore that offers ample space for high-backed and motorised wheelchairs. London taxi drivers are also provided with enhanced training and mentorship programmes, to maximise the full benefits of these vehicles. To help wheelchair users in Hong Kong better plan their visit to Singapore, SMRT plans to roll out an e-travel guide which will be made available on its corporate website. The guide to the top tourist destinations in Singapore will also have a section dedicated to wheelchair accessibility.

CEO and Founder of Diamond Cab, Doris Leung said, "Barrier-free travel is a huge untapped market. As the ageing trend continues, there are increasing travel demands from elderly wheelchair users who can afford leisure activities. Their children will also be more willing to travel with their parents as the variety of barrier-free travel products grows. I am glad that Diamond Cab can continue as a pioneer to establish partnerships with overseas barrier-free taxi operators and promote the global barrier-free movement."

Diamond Cab currently offers five taxis that allow wheelchair users to board directly. Following a recent collaboration with the Hong Kong tourism industry, including travel agents and hotels, Diamond Cab created Diamond Leisure. Its website (www.diamond-leisure.com) will include information such as wheelchair accessible taxis operated by SMRT and barrier-free entertainment activities for tourists planning to visit Singapore.


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