Elderly and disabled people in Ungheni go to public institutions by social taxi
City halls across the country are increasingly prioritizing social projects. For instance, in Ungheni, a social taxi service has been established. This service allows elderly individuals and people with disabilities to travel free of charge to essential places such as the post office, pharmacy, or polyclinic. Ungheni City Hall launched this program nearly two years ago, and since its inception, the number of beneficiaries has been steadily increasing. During the cold season, drivers tend to make more trips, as it becomes more challenging for elderly individuals and people with disabilities to get around.
Elena Zglavoc is 73 years old and has difficulty moving around. She called the social taxi service because she needed to get to the post office.
"Someone told me, 'Mrs. Elena, call the social taxi from the city hall, which is especially for people with disabilities.' I made an appointment, the taxi arrived, and the driver was very kind. I got in. The minibus can be crowded sometimes, and you can even stand up," said Elena Zglavoc.
Leonid Barsucovschi believes the project is very beneficial, especially in the cold season when ice forms on the roads, making it difficult for elderly people to move around.
"What if I need to go further, like to the clinic? You can't reach every place with the minibus. I’ve called and used it many times already. For how long? Several years!" said Leonid Barsucovschi.
The social taxi operates from Monday to Friday and is available for each person once a month. Beneficiaries can choose from five destinations.
"The five locations include the pharmacy, hospital, clinic, city hall, and post office. When a person arrives, I take their passport, note the details, and give it to my supervisor," said driver Anatolie Goncear.
Free trips can be booked by phone the day before the trip through the One-Stop Shop at Ungheni City Hall. This service is provided to individuals with first- or second-degree disabilities or to the elderly.
"The day before the scheduled trip, my colleagues register the person's street, phone number, and final destination. Most often, they go to the hospital, post office, or pharmacy. In addition to this main service, it's also used by city hall specialists, such as those in child protection, to visit families," explained Cristina Antoci, a specialist in children's rights protection.
The "Social Taxi" service was launched on April 4, 2024. Since then, over 110 people have benefited from the program.
