FREENOW teams up with Irish Wheelchair Association to raise funds

FREENOW teams up with Irish Wheelchair Association to raise funds on International Day of Persons with Disabilities 

FREENOW passengers can round up their fare via the app to donate to Irish Wheelchair Association

FREENOW has today (03.12.24) announced a partnership with Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) to raise funds through its Round Up to Donate in-app feature. The launch marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is held each year on December 3^rd. FREENOW passengers can round up the cost of their trip to the nearest euro and donate the difference to support the work of IWA. The Round Up to Donate feature will support IWA for one year, and passengers can already contribute.

As a crucial part of Ireland's public transport infrastructure and the only door-to-door service, it’s essential that taxis are accessible to everyone. FREENOW strongly supports the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) requirement for new taxi vehicle licences to be wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAV) to ensure Ireland’s taxi fleet accommodates those with disabilities. 

The WAV requirement and WAV Grant Scheme have helped increase the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis in Ireland from 850 in 2014 to nearly 4,000 in 2024. FREENOW’s accessible fleet is also growing strongly, increasing by almost 10% in Q1 2024 compared to the previous year. WAVs currently make up at least 21% of Ireland’s taxi fleet, with the NTA targeting 25% by the end of 2025. FREENOW has called on the next government to expand the WAV Grant Scheme in 2025 to help more taxi drivers buy or convert accessible vehicles and continue the industry's growth.

Danny O’Gorman, General Manager at FREENOW Ireland, said: “We are proud to launch our fundraising partnership with IWA to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Taxis are an essential part of Ireland's public transport infrastructure, and it’s crucial that they are accessible to everyone. While the number of accessible taxis in our fleet is growing strongly, NTA research shows people who need wheelchair accessible taxis are still having difficulty finding one, so much more work must be done. 

“The WAV Grant Scheme has been hugely important in making the national taxi fleet more accessible; however, more funding is needed. The grant received a record number of 

applications this year and was fully allocated within a month of opening, leaving drivers unable to apply for funding for the rest of the year. An expansion of the grant is needed to grow the accessible taxi fleet and make sure those who require a wheelchair accessible taxi can easily book one.”

CEO of Irish Wheelchair Association, Ann Marie O’Grady, said: “On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are delighted to be partnering with FREENOW to raise funds to support the ongoing work of IWA. FREENOW has demonstrated their clear commitment to transport accessibility and tackling mobility issues faced by wheelchair users, and we echo their support for the requirement for all new taxi licences to be wheelchair accessible vehicles. Donations from passengers will support everything from accessible transport to community-based services, sporting opportunities and youth programmes.”

FREENOW Passengers can select the option to donate when booking their trip, before their next trip or while travelling to their destination by selecting the Round Up and Donate option in the FREENOW app. 

ENDS

About FREENOW: 

FREENOW is Europe’s multi-mobility app with taxi offering at its core, available in 9 European markets and over 150 cities. FREENOW users can access various mobility services within a single app, including taxis, PHV, carsharing, car rental, eScooters, eBikes, eMopeds and public transport. FREENOW partners with numerous mobility brands and aggregates their offering with the ambition to make urban mobility more efficient and sustainable without adding new vehicles on the street. The Germany-based company is backed by the BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility. FREENOW is led by CEO Thomas Zimmermann.

Visit our Website for further information and download the FREENOW app for iOS or Android

About Round Up and Donate:

Within the FREENOW app, passengers have the option to switch on the Round Up to Donate Feature. With the Round Up feature turned on, if your trip costs €10.64, you'll pay €11 and FREENOW will donate the extra €0.36 directly to Irish Wheelchair Association. It's easy to Round Up and Donate. You’ll see the option to donate when booking your trip - just tap to round up your journey or set it up before booking. Or set it up before your next trip by going to your profile, choose Round Up and Donate and turn it on. Already en route to your destination? You’ll see a Round Up and Donate option… just turn it on.

About Irish Wheelchair Association: 

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) is one of Ireland’s leading representative and service delivery organisations for people with physical disabilities.  Founded on the belief that everyone should be able to live a life of choice and equality, IWA continues to advocate for and with our members with the lived experience towards an equal society. IWA has 18,000 members across Ireland.