First taxi service for the disabled

Disabled man, Charbel Daghfal, recently launched the country’s first ‘special needs’ taxi service. Daghfal has already invested $20,000 of his own money into WheelChair Taxi, the name of the firm. “I am seeking further investment of $30,000,” he said.

The taxi firm is based in Jounieh. Its small fleet of Renault Kangos has been adapted for disabled use.

Daghfal said he is looking for further investment to buy and adapt new cars, and then expand the service to other parts of the country.

“I want to add three more cars to the fleet in the near future,” he said.

The WheelChair Taxi rate is calculated on time rather than distance. This is because the services includes assistance. Three hours would incur rates of around $50, according to Daghfal.

Daghfal was involved in a car accident when he was 17, which left him permanently disabled.

By Derek A. Issacs