More Accessible Taxis In BC

People who rely on wheelchair-accessible taxis will soon have more options to get around as the Province looks to increase the number of accessible taxis.

The third round of funding for the Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program launched this week.

The program helps taxi operators buy and maintain wheelchair-accessible vehicles, increasing the number of those in service.

People who depend on accessible taxis historically have experienced longer wait times or lack of service.

Approximately $7 million is available for this round of funding to partially subsidize eligible applicants for costs related to vehicle maintenance, converting an existing vehicle, buying a converted vehicle, or purchasing a new vehicle and converting it.

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.