Wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) taxi services across Western Australia are set to expand, following a $1.5 million McGowan Government investment in the upcoming 2022-23 State Budget, including for a new Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant Scheme.
The scheme will provide financial support to encourage the establishment of WAV taxi services in regional towns such as Broome, Denmark and Esperance, and support WAV taxi services in other towns to meet demand or ensure continuity of service.
An annual allocation of $115,000 through the scheme will increase the existing WAV Modification Grants from $15,000 to $20,000 to support the costs of installing wheelchair hoists and associated modifications.
The Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant Scheme is a new initiative offering two tiers of financial support from an annual funding pool of $260,000.
Grants of $65,000 from the pool will support the establishment of new WAV taxi services in towns where none exist. Grants of $45,000 will support existing WAV taxi service providers to replace an ageing WAV taxi or purchase an additional WAV taxi to meet demand.
The grants will offset costs, including vehicle purchase, modification and fit out, as well as vehicle licensing, inspections and on-demand transport authorisations.
The new scheme supports other accessible transport initiatives, including the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme, which provides co-payments to drivers of wheelchair accessible taxis.
Further information on the Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant Scheme, including key dates and eligibility criteria, will be available from July 1 on the Department of Transport website.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“The McGowan Government is committed to providing transport options for people of all abilities around the State.
“We know taxi services play an important role in providing a level of independence to many in our community and are aware that there is currently unmet demand in some regions.
“This new scheme offers long-term grant incentives to ease the cost burden for new operators to start servicing the areas where they’re needed the most, as well as ensuring the viability of existing service providers.”
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
“The announcement is a fantastic boost for people with disability across Western Australia, and will ensure our regions are welcoming and accessible places for everyone to visit, live or invest in.
“The grants will mean the thousands of Western Australians with disability who require wheelchair accessible transport options are able to participate in all aspects of the community and the economy – both in their home towns and while travelling around the State.”
