Geraldton’s Associated Taxis receives $45,000 from State Government to replace wheelchair-accessible vehicle

The Cook Government has boosted accessible transport options for Geraldton in the first year of the Regional Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Taxi Service grant scheme, providing $45,000 to a local business. Taxi service providers in Geraldton, Northam, Albany, Collie and Kalgoorlie-Boulder have shared in $245,000 in grants to replace ageing WAVs or to purchase an additional one to cater for the demand of wheelchair-accessible transport. The Government’s commitment of $1.5 million over four years aims to establish new WAV taxi services or improve current transport options for people with disability in the regions through the scheme administered by the Department of Transport. David Michael, the minister assisting the Transport Minister, said: “The improvement of services in regional areas or the establishment of a new service will meet local demand for WAV taxis and provide added independence for people with disability.” Geraldton’s Associated Taxis has used the $45,000 allocated to its business to replace its ageing WAV. The new vehicle will allow the company to expand and service more people in the Mid West after calls for increased vehicle availability were made earlier in the year.