Free taxis hailed as a way to get more people vaccinated in Windsor-Essex hot spots

For Windsor-Essex residents living in COVID-19hot spots, not having a ride will nolonger be a roadblock to getting a vaccine.

TheWindsor-EssexRegionalChamber of Commerce launched a new initiativeMonday that provides free taxi rides forpeople living in sevenhot spot postal codes (N8X, N8Y, N9A, N9B, N9C, N8H, N9Y) who are unable to arrange their own transportation to a vaccine site.

"We want to make sure that as many people get vaccinated as possible," the organization's CEO Rakesh Naidu said.

"We recognize that insome of these regions, there are people that do want to get vaccinated, who want to go out and be at the vaccination centre, but either don't have the ride or cannot afford it or have some challenges, mobility challenges and so on."

The taxi service is being providedby Vets Cab in Windsor and Sun Parlor Taxi in Leamington.

Naidu said anyone eligible for a complimentary cab can call the company, indicate they'd like togo the vaccination site and show their appointment information.

At least for now, the initiative is only available forthose living in hot spots, a priority identified by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, said Naidu.

Currently, adults 50 and older in those postal codes can register for their appointment by using the health unit's website or by calling.

$35K raised for free rides

Naidu said that so far, $35,000 has been raisedthrough community partners to pay for the cabs enough for 1,750 people to go on a$20 ride, for example and the chamber islooking to raise additional funds.

The program is sponsored byGreen Shield Canada, Hydro One, Sun Life, the Rotary Clubs ofWindsorandEssexCounty, and W/E Rotary Catch The Ace.

It's not the only initiative intended to tackle transportation barriers Transit Windsor is offering free rides to andfrom vaccination sites.