Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) welcomes the announcement by the NSW Government to inject $15 million in funding for the taxi industry to increase the number of wheelchair accessible taxis.
Our Wheelchair Book & Ride service offers a centralised booking system for wheelchair accessible taxis in the Sydney metropolitan area. This service provides essential transportation assistance to thousands of people with disabilities who depend on accessible taxis for community participation.
Over the next year, the NSW Government will provide a $15 million package that includes:
- Up to $12 million for the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Driver Incentive Subsidy (WATDIS). This funding will raise the current WATDIS standard rate from $15 to a standard day rate of $25 and introduce:
- a new night rate, which is an additional 20% on top of the standard day rate for trips taken between 10pm and 6am, excluding public holidays; and
- a new public holiday flat rate of $50, applicable on the 11 public holidays stated in the Public Holidays Act 2010.
- A new funding allocation of $750,000 to enhance the training provided to WAT drivers. This training, developed in consultation with individuals with disabilities, will focus on improving customer outcomes and safety.
- Up to $2.25 million to establish a new grant program to assist with the costs of modifying and operating a WAT. A portion of these funds will be directed towards regional areas where the decline in the availability of WAT services has been significant.
The number of wheelchair-accessible taxis registered in NSW has decreased by one-third over the past five years. SCIA has been actively participating in roundtables organised by the NSW Government to address the critical shortage of wheelchair taxis for those who truly need them. We look forward to working with the NSW government over the next 12 months.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Disability Reference Group, led by NSW Taxi Council‘s Nick Abrahim, for their crucial role in bringing this critical issue to the attention of ministers.