Efforts to Improve Quality in Private-Public Transport Continue

Semovi’s 2021 Taxi Fair helped concessionaires detect which motor vehicles comply with technical, electrical and efficiency requirements within the Taxi Replacement Program in an effort to improve the service quality of Mexico City’s private-public transportation units.

"With these strategies, the Ministry of Mobility(Semovi) reaffirms its commitment with taxi drivers to replace units that provide a private-public transport service of the highest quality," declared the ministry.

Assistants to the latest Semovi’s Taxi Fair interested in participating in the Taxi Replacement Program had the option of receiving credit advice for the acquisition of units and insurance policies. 

The program provides taxi concessionaires bonuses when replacing their 10-year-old units and more than US$4,900 when choosing an electric or hybrid vehicle. Bonuses consist of US$3,700 and an additional US$1,000 for installing devices that facilitate universal accessibility, like a rotating co-driver seat and modifications that provide a dignified service for people with disabilities or limited mobility. 

These financial aids aim to incentivize vehicle replacement within cab drivers in Mexico City and provide users service through new fleets high-security standards, universal accessibility and low carbon emissions. These aids are facilitated by participating financial institutions, which are backed by Nacional Financiera S.N.C. with preferential rates in the event of receiving a favorable financial evaluation.

Among requisites to access the program, interested parties need to hand in the documentation that accredits the ownership of the concession, actual official identification of the concessionaire, proof of residence no older than two months, vehicle’s invoice with their current driving card. 

In 2020, a total of 116 financial supports were granted to Taxi Replacement Program applicants who owned a 2010 taxi model or earlier years. It is expected that by the end of 2021, 200 bonuses will be issued to Mexico City’s taxi concessionaires. 

The 2021 Taxi Fair took place at the east esplanade of the Agustín Melgar Olympic Velodrome, located at Radamés Treviño S/N, Jardín Balbuena neighborhood, Venustiano Carranza from 10:00 to 15:00 hours in October 25 to 29.

These efforts to upgrade the user experience within Mexico City’s private-public transportation units encouraged by the Semovi extend to public transportation units as well. As reported recently by MBN, “the Ministry of Mobility of Mexico City presented a program for the renovation of public transportation units for 2021. The plan is to replace 2,200 units in specific areas of the city through a US$43.4 million investment.”

Despite these initiatives, Road Safety and Sustainable Urban Mobility Systems’ expert, María Fernanda Rivera, discussed Mexico City’s problems in urban mobility to MBN.

“We know that people's mobility is not free of inequality and that people who live farther away spend up to 30 percent of their income on transportation every day. Gender inequality is also an issue since women mobilize differently and with different risks than men. Based on this, SEMOVI developed a Strategic Mobility Plan based on three guiding principles: integrate, improve and protect,” wrote Rivera to MBN.