We are increasingly concerned about how the current fuel shortage is affecting people who rely on wheelchair‑accessible transport across Metropolitan NSW.
According to the NSW Taxi Council, ongoing fuel constraints are already limiting service availability. Many wheelchair‑accessible taxis operate on diesel, and the impact is being felt now, not in theory, but in people’s daily lives.
For people who use wheelchairs, this situation goes far beyond inconvenience. Reduced access to wheelchair accessible taxis can mean:
- Missing critical medical and therapy appointments
- Being unable to get to work, education, or training
- Increased social isolation
- Loss of independence and reduced participation in daily life
Accessible transport is essential, not optional, for our community.
The Critical Role of Wheelchair Book & Ride
This is why Wheelchair Book & Ride is so important.
Wheelchair Book & Ride is the only Independent Dispatch System for wheelchair taxi work across Metropolitan NSW. By bringing all Transport Service Providers (TSPs) together under one coordinated system, it creates consistency in service delivery, safety standards, and accountability, particularly during times of disruption.
At its core, Wheelchair Book & Ride is about people.
It exists to ensure that every individual, regardless of mobility, has access to safe, reliable, and inclusive transport. Accessibility is not a luxury or a special consideration; it is a right.
More than a booking platform, Wheelchair Book & Ride acts as the central coordination point that helps ensure people who rely on wheelchair accessible taxis can travel with dignity, reliability, and confidence, even in challenging conditions.
Every day, members of the disability community depend on this service to get to:
- Medical and allied health appointments
- Workplaces and educational settings
- Schools and training programs
- Social activities, family events, and community life
These are the everyday moments that many take for granted and they rely on accessible transport systems that are planned, protected, and prioritised.
What Needs to Happen Now
In times of crisis such as fuel shortages, people with disability must not be disproportionately impacted. To reduce disruption and protect access, we are calling for:
- Priority fuel access for wheelchair‑accessible vehicles
- Clear, timely communication about service disruptions and availability
- Exploration of alternative transport options and contingency support
- Explicit inclusion of disability transport services in emergency and continuity planning
Maintaining accessible transport requires collaboration across the entire sector; drivers, networks, regulators, government and the community all working together every day to uphold the right to accessible point‑to‑point transport.
Have Your Say
We want to hear from you.
If you’ve been affected by wheelchair taxi shortages or transport disruptions, please share your experience. Your voice helps highlight the real world impact of these challenges and strengthens the call for coordinated, inclusive solutions that put people first.
The Australian Ferderation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) are also collecting data on the subject. Click this link to complete their form.
