Taxi accessibility
The Victorian Government is a strong supporter of ensuring transport services, including taxis, are accessible for all members of the community, including people with a disability. This page provides information on accessible taxi services in the State.
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Information on this page
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis (WATs) allow people who use wheelchairs to travel in their wheelchair provided that they and the wheelchair can be safely restrained in the vehicle. The service is popular, with 379 Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in operation on Victorian roads. In the 2008-09 financial year, there were a total of 641,940 WAT trips made.
WATs are required to give priority to bookings by people who use wheelchairs but may be used to carry other passengers when not engaged with wheelchair bookings.
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A Wheelchair Accessible Taxi |
A Wheelchair Accessible Taxi is a vehicle designed to carry one, two or more people seated in wheelchairs (depending upon the vehicle type) and between four and eleven passengers when not configured to carry wheelchairs.
When not carrying wheelchair passengers, WATs have the same operating rights and conditions as standard taxis, but charge a higher tariff when carrying 5 or more passengers.
Changes to the program
The Victorian Government monitors usage of the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi fleet to ensure taxi services are available to meet community needs. In 2008, the Victorian Government announced a number of measures, as part of a
broader reform package, to improve the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi program.
To ensure people with a disability can get a taxi when they want one, an additional 330 wheelchair accessible licences will be released in the greater Melbourne area.
Additionally, to provide a better customer experience, these licenses will allow the use of vehicles designed to carry a single wheelchair.
Booking a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis are available in Melbourne and regional areas. Ask for a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi when you book. In Melbourne, call 9265 4602 or 9277 3877.
In regional areas, see the
Yellow Pages telephone directory for contact numbers.
Multi Purpose Taxi Program
The
Multi Purpose Taxi Program is available to assist with the travel needs of people with severe and permanent disabilities by offering discounted taxi fares to members of the program.
Course in Wheelchair-accessible Taxi Services
Taxi drivers must complete the Course in Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Services in order to be eligible to drive a wheelchair accessible taxi.
Metropolitan drivers who wish to drive a wheelchair-accessible taxi should contact
Driver Education Centre of Victoria Pty Ltd (DECA) or
Taxi Industry Training Victoria (TITV) to enrol in this course. Country and urban drivers are advised to contact the
Taxi Industry Training Victoria (TITV) for further information.
Initiatives
Initiatives to improve the availability and reliability of taxi services for people who use wheelchairs include:
- Subsidising the Course in Wheelchair Accessible Training Services for taxi drivers, including additional out-of-pocket expenses for those who successfully complete the course, and;
- Subsidising the cost of replacement or new Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in country Victoria.
As at 8 December 2008, the Department of Transport has approved 26 grants to subsidise the purchase of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis.
Targets for improving accessibility are also included in the
Accessible Public Transport in Victoria Action Plan 2006-12.