- Regional WAV Taxi Service grants deliver new and
additional accessible transport options to five WA regional towns in first year
- Grants up to $65,000 to support provision of
regional WAV taxi services from annual pool of $260,000
- Part of Cook Government commitment of $1.5
million over four years to improve accessible transport around WA
The Cook Government has
delivered a massive boost to accessible transport options for five major
regional WA centres in the first year of the Regional Wheelchair Accessible
Vehicle (WAV) Taxi Service grant scheme.
Taxi service providers in
Northam, Albany, Collie, Kalgoorlie and Geraldton have shared in $245,000 in
grants to replace ageing wheelchair accessible taxi vehicles (WAV) or purchase
an additional WAV to cater for demand of wheelchair accessible transport.
Avon Taxis has operated
the WAV taxi service in Northam for over two years and used their $45,000 grant
to replace an ageing vehicle.
In Albany, a $45,000
grant has been used by Albany Wheelchair Taxis to purchase a third WAV that is
equipped to transport people with disability. This operator has 15 years experience
providing wheelchair accessible taxi services in Albany.
The Cook Government's
commitment of $1.5 million over four years aims to establish new WAV taxi
services or improve current transport options for people with disability in the
regions through the scheme administered by the Department of Transport.
Comments attributed
to Minister Assisting the Transport Minister David Michael:
"The Cook Government is
pleased to see this scheme roll out to regional centres to encourage provision
of accessible transport services for local residents and visitors.
"The improvement of
services in regional areas or the establishment of a new service will meet
local demand for WAV taxis and provide added independence for people with
disability.
"The 2023-24 Regional WAV
Taxi Service Grant scheme will begin in Margaret River with another $260,000 in
grants available to boost WAV taxi services in the regions."
