NANAIMO – New Democrat MLA Sheila Malcolmson says people who use wheelchairs in Nanaimo will soon have more accessible taxi services through the government’s Passenger Transporation Accessibility Program (PTAP).
“People in Nanaimo who need accessible transportation should have options to get around that fit their needs and serve them as customers,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “This funding for AC Taxi and Yellow Cab will help them improve accessibility and serve their customers’ range of needs.”
In Nanaimo, the following taxi companies have received funding to improve wheelchair accessibility within their fleet:
- A.C. Taxi Ltd. (Nanaimo Taxi and Nanaimo Cab), $88,514
- Swiftsure Taxi Co. Ltd. (Yellow Cab Nanaimo), $10,191
Through the 2023/2024 intake of the PTAP, the province has provided $6,989,583 to 59 recipients to make accessible taxis more available by offsetting the costs that taxi companies and owner operators face in providing wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
The funding either covers the cost of purchasing a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, or purchasing a vehicle and converting it. The fund also provides reimbursement of eligible maintenance expenses as well as a flat-price insurance rebate and a flat-price fuel rebate per vehicle.
Learn More:
For a full list of 2023/2024 PTAP recipients: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/funding-engagement-permits/funding-grants/passenger-transportation-accessibility-program