With the shared taxi Taxbus in Helmond you can travel flexibly and affordably from door to door within Helmond.
In Helmond, everyone can use the Taxbus. This shared taxi, which was previously only available to people with a Wmo indication, is now used as a fully-fledged means of public transport for all residents of the city. This makes travelling within Helmond considerably easier and more affordable. The fare has been set at 4 euros per person, which makes it an attractive alternative for short car journeys.
The official launch of the expanded service took place last Friday. Aldermen Arno Bonte (mobility) and Harrie van Dijk (WMO and inclusion) were present to celebrate this important milestone together with a Taxbus driver. The expansion of Taxbus responds to a clear need from the city, especially in neighborhoods where regular public transport is limited or non-existent.
Alderman Arno Bonte emphasized the importance of this transport solution during the launch: “Taxbus connects Helmond. We offer residents more flexibility, freedom of choice and convenience in their daily transport needs. This form of public transport is a nice addition to the existing network, especially in parts of the city where public transport is not or only limitedly available.” This responds to the desire of many Helmond residents to have more and better accessible transport options, especially in neighborhoods that are not well served by public transport.
Helmond is facing a major challenge in the area of mobility. According to alderman Arno Bonte, the focus is on the mobility transition, a crucial part of the urban development of the city. With the urbanization that is currently taking place, in which Helmond is expanding considerably and new homes are being added, the pressure on the infrastructure is increasing. This forces the municipality to offer sustainable and efficient alternatives, so that residents leave their cars at home more often and opt for more environmentally friendly transport options such as cycling or public transport.
For residents who already used the Taxbus because of their WMO indication, nothing will change. The big difference now is that everyone in Helmond can use the service, regardless of whether they have a WMO indication. This inclusive approach offers more choice for residents who want to move comfortably, quickly and cheaply within the city limits.
Alderman Harry Van Dijk (WMO and inclusion) emphasized during the kick-off how important this step is in promoting an inclusive city: “The expansion with Taxbus as public transport is an important step towards an inclusive and accessible city. We now offer all residents an affordable and comfortable way to get around. It is a good example of how we connect mobility, target group transport and public transport.”
to care
The recent expansion of the Taxbus as public transport for all residents of Helmond not only arouses enthusiasm, but also concerns. Angélique van Deursen, an expert by experience in the field of incest and child abuse, and author of The Devil's Child, expressed her concern about the possible consequences for current WMO users, who have been using the Taxbus for a long time. Van Deursen makes it clear that the current system is already struggling with problems. "Now you often sit in the taxi for too long, there is a shortage of staff, things go wrong. I am really a bit worried about it," she says. These concerns are not unfounded; the shared transport service is often criticised for long waiting times and logistical errors that mainly affect the vulnerable group of WMO users.
Although there are concerns among WMO users about the extension of the Taxbus to all residents, it should be emphasized that the majority of journeys run smoothly. Tax bus offers the possibility to travel comfortably from door to door. This makes it especially attractive for people who do not have their own transport or for whom the regular bus routes are not practical. The service works on the principle of a shared taxi, which means that other passengers can be picked up or dropped off during the ride. This may mean that the ride takes a little longer than a regular taxi ride, but at the same time it also makes it a cheaper alternative. The flexibility that the Taxbus offers makes it an ideal solution for short trips within the city.
book
Having booking a ride The Taxbus can be easily booked via the Munckhof Regiotaxi app or by calling a special telephone number. For only 4 euros per ride, Helmond residents can use this convenient transport service. Payment can be easily made by debit card in the vehicle, which makes the process even more user-friendly.
The Taxbus operates seven days a week between 07:00 and midnight. On Friday and Saturday nights, the service is even available until 01:00, making it a suitable alternative for people who also want to travel within the city at later times. However, the taxi can arrive up to 15 minutes earlier or later than the agreed time, depending on the number of trips scheduled at that time. This makes the service more efficient and ensures that costs remain low for users.
