Taxi companies provide vehicles which can accommodate the physical needs of people with disability, particularly those who use wheelchairs. Vans carry a combination of passengers and wheelchairs and are equipped with ramps and hydraulic lifts to safely load and unload passengers in wheelchairs. Accessible taxis are available in both metropolitan and regional locations around Australia, however levels of availability vary and usually require advance booking. See state and territory based links below regarding availability and bookings:
All Australian states and territories have taxi subsidy schemes for people with disability which restrict their capacity to use public transport. Refer to links below to determine eligibility:
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
For people unable to drive a vehicle either for transport to and from work or for appointments as part of their work role, the use of accessible taxis for transport can assist in allowing them to work independently and to full productivity.
(Victoria Department of Transport 2008; Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2008; Northern Territory Transport Group 2008; Northern Territory Government Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2008; New South Wales Government Ministry of Transport 2007; TCSA Taxi Council 2007; Queensland Transport 2008; Taxi Council Queensland 2008 )
Relevant Links:
References:
Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2008, Wheelchair accessible taxis, Government of Western Australia Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Perth, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/taxis/15181.asp
Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2008, Passenger subsidies, Government of Western Australia Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Perth, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/taxis/15155.asp
National Taxi Booking Service 2007, Book a Taxi Online, Taxi 131 008 Limited, Online, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.131008.com/01tas.htm
New South Wales Government Ministry of Transport 2007, Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS), New South Wales Government, Sydney, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/ttss/
Northern Territory Transport Group 2008, Taxi and Minibus Areas, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/taxi/areas.shtml
Northern Territory Government Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2008, CPV23 – Card for NT Taxi Subsidy Scheme, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/taxi/pdf/info-bulletins/ibcpv23.pdf
Queensland Transport 2008, Taxi subsidy scheme, The State of Queensland (Queensland Transport), Brisbane, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Assistance_and_services/Access_and_mobility/Taxi_subsidy_scheme/
Taxi Council Queensland 2008, QLD Taxi Companies, Taxi Council of Queensland Incorporated, Brisbane, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.tcq.org.au/?page=links
TCSA Taxi Council 2007, Wheelchair Accessible Taxis, Taxi Council South Australia Inc., Adelaide, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.taxicouncilsa.com.au/taxi_services_safety_wheelchair_accessible_taxis.htm
TCSA Taxi Council 2007, South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme, Taxi Council South Australia Inc., Adelaide, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.taxicouncilsa.com.au/taxi_services_safety_SATSS.htm
Victoria Department of Transport 2008, Taxi accessibility, State Government of Australia Department of Transport, Melbourne, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.taxi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/CC8D03F91EE0B219CA256C1C001DE33D?OpenDocument#wheel
Victoria Department of Transport 2008, Multi Purpose Taxi Program, State Government of Australia Department of Transport, Melbourne, viewed 5 September 2008, http://www.taxi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/vehicles.nsf/AllDocs/F147A0C53D657A9DCA2572660016656E?OpenDocument