Kalgoorlie to have taxi service for disabled people

8/11/93

Kalgoorlie-Boulder has become the fifth country centre in Western Australia to have a taxi service dedicated to the needs of disabled people.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said yesterday that the Department of Transport had issued a multi-purpose taxi (MPT) licence to the Kalgoorlie Taxi Association.

Multi-purpose taxis are designed to carry passengers with wheelchairs or other disabled people who have difficulty using conventional transport.

"MPTs have been operating in Perth for 10 years and have been progressively extended to country regions with services operating in Albany, Geraldton, Bunbury, Mandurah and now Kalgoorlie," Mr Charlton said.

"An MPT licence requires the taxi operator to cater firstly to the needs of the disabled.

"When there are no bookings from disabled people, the taxi can accept general work.

"Most MPT clients are eligible for a Government subsidy on their fares."

Mr Charlton said there were more than 1,000 people on aged pensions and another 500 or more people on disability support pensions in Kalgoorlie-Boulder who qualified for the MPT service.

"Kalgoorlie has an excellent intra-town bus service operated by Goldenlines, and there are four buses in the area operated by the Eastern Goldfields Community Health Centre, the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital, the Eastern Goldfields Senior High School and the Coolgardie Health Centre with facilities to help people in wheelchairs," he said.

"However, these vehicle are dedicated to specific purposes and there was a demonstrable need for an MPT to offer point to point service in the area.

"I am pleased the Kalgoorlie Taxi Association has taken up the challenge of adding this service to the existing services performed by its fleet of 39 taxis operating in the region."

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333