Broome will pilot a new grant scheme to support the establishment and continuity of wheelchair accessible taxi services in regional areas.
The Regional Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxi Service Grant Scheme will be administered by the Department of Transport and is part of a $1.5 million McGowan Government commitment to improve accessible transport options for people with disability.
The scheme provides grants of up to $65,000 from an annual pool of $260,000 to establish WAV taxi services in towns where none exist.
Grants of up to $45,000 from the pool are also available to support the replacement of an ageing WAV taxi, or purchase of an additional WAV taxi vehicle to meet demand.
Broome was chosen to pilot the grant scheme due to its popularity as a tourism destination and its lack of an existing WAV taxi service.
The Department of Transport will begin stakeholder engagement in Broome from September to confirm the demand and feasibility for a WAV taxi service, followed by an Expression of Interest process to award the grants.
Outcomes from the pilot will be used to inform the roll-out of the grants to other regions, with priority given to towns without a current WAV taxi service and where demand shows a sustainable service could operate.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“The announcement of the Regional Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Taxi Service Grant Scheme pilot is a significant step forward in the McGowan Government’s commitment to improve the State’s regional accessible taxi services.
“Broome is the perfect location for the pilot, given it doesn’t currently have a wheelchair accessible taxi service and its popularity as a tourism destination.
“We know there is strong community support for this initiative, and we look forward to working with stakeholders to establish a viable, ongoing service in the town for people of all abilities to utilise.”
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
“The provision of regional wheelchair accessible taxis is such an important part of ensuring people with disability and mobility requirements can live in and travel to regional towns across our State.
“This pilot in Broome will help ensure the magnificent town is a welcoming and accessible place where Western Australians with disability with accessible transport requirements can fully participate.”
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna:
“This grant scheme is aimed at improving transport options for people with a disability in regional areas, and I am thrilled that Broome has been selected to pilot the grant scheme.
“Broome is an amazing town and incredibly popular tourist destination, but we don’t currently have a wheelchair accessible vehicle taxi service.
“This grant scheme will help deliver Broome’s first wheelchair accessible taxi service, and I encourage industry representatives to consider applying for the grants when they open.”
