Country taxi operators can now apply for further assistance as part of a new $3.4 million Regional Taxi Transition Support Package.
Unfortunately, country taxis exist under separate legislation and operate on an annual licence system and are ineligible for the taxi-plate buyback for privately owned plates. Those who lease plates from the State Government, approximately half of the taxi fleet in the metropolitan area, are similarly ineligible.
As part of the package, support is available to eligible regional taxi licence holders to assist them with the transition to meet requirements set out under new passenger transport reforms.
Under the package, the following assistance can be applied for:
- Payment of $10,000 per taxi-car licence to existing regional taxi operators, capped at 10 licences or $100,000 per licence holder;
- Waiving the on-demand booking service authorisation fee for existing regional operators for an additional three years above the existing one-year waiver for all operators; and
- Waiving the passenger transport vehicle authorisation fee for existing regional operators for three years.
Country taxi operators are also exempt from paying the on-demand passenger transport levy, and have been provided access to grants of $500 per current licence as a contribution towards the purchase and installation of in-car security cameras.
The additional transition assistance will better assist existing operators to take advantage of the benefits of the reforms, with the legislation ending restrictions that have prevented taxis from expanding their services, or matching peak demand.
All eligible country taxi plate licensees will be contacted and provided information about the package.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“The McGowan Government’s on-demand transport reforms will create a sustainable and innovative WA on-demand transport industry for operators and customers.
“After listening to the concerns of the regional taxi operators and their representatives, we have made a decision to provide them with further assistance which will result in monetary savings and reduced administration and reporting requirements.
“This latest assistance will also be extended to operators in the Mandurah and Peel regions, who have already received a transition payment of $10,000 per licence uncapped, as they are now part of the metropolitan area under the reforms.
“Country taxis play an important role in our regions and this package will assist the industry while it adjusts to a more open market, so it can continue to be a viable and competitive option for the people of WA.
“The Government is committed to providing support for existing taxi operators during this transition and I encourage those most affected to seek guidance and support to help them through these changes.”
