Taxi service planned for disabled people in Bunbury

30/3/93

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said today that Bunbury may soon have a taxi service dedicated to disabled people.

He said the Department of Transport would soon call for expressions of interest for operating a multi-purpose taxi in the city.

Multi-purpose taxis, or MPTs, are designed to carry passengers with wheelchairs, or other disabled people who find it difficult to use conventional transport.

MPT services are operated in Perth and Geraldton and there are plans for their introduction in Albany and Kalgoorlie.

An MPT licence requires the taxi operator to cater first to the needs of the disabled.  When there are no bookings from disabled people the taxi may operate for general work.

Most MPT clients are eligible for a Government subsidy on their fares, and the Department estimated that up to 170 people in Bunbury were unable to use public transport or conventional taxis.

"One of the great strengths of this initiative is that the idea came from the local community," Mr Charlton said.

"A local resident, Mrs Marion Swane-Poel, wrote to the Advisory Council for Disability Services on behalf of 21 disabled people seeking the introduction of an MPT."

Media contact: Dean Roberts 222 9595 : 321 7333