More Wheelchair-Accessible Taxis Will Help People Connect With Communities

The province is looking to boost the number of accessible taxis on BC’s roads.

“Building a better, stronger future for all British Columbians means making it easier for everyone to get where they need to go,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

“Everyone deserves the peace of mind that they will be able to get to their doctor’s appointment, be able to go to a concert or join their friends for dinner across town without worrying about a getting a taxi home. Supporting taxi operators to get more wheelchair-accessible vehicles on the road means that the people who count on these inclusive, accessible options are able to access the services they need.”

Applications are now open for the Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program through a second round of funding.

The Province developed the funding program last year to help make accessible taxis more available by offsetting the costs that taxi companies and owner-operators face in providing wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

This year’s expanded program funding will build on the success of last year’s grants by providing further incentives for taxi companies and drivers to invest in accessible vehicles.

As much as $7.8 million is available for this round of funding under the program.

Funding will partially subsidize eligible applicants for costs related to vehicle maintenance, converting an existing vehicle, purchasing a converted vehicle, or purchasing a new vehicle and converting it.

This year’s application period will close on March 3, 2024. Funding for the program comes from revenues collected from the per-trip fee that came into effect in September 2019 to offset the regulatory costs of ride-hailing operations and support accessible transportation.

Unlike ride-hailing companies, taxi companies are required, as part of their operating license, to reserve a portion of their fleet for accessible vehicles.

For more information, visit Government of British Columbia.