CHILLIWACK- New Democrat MLAs Kelli Paddon and Dan Coulter say people who rely on wheelchairs in Chilliwack and Kent will soon have more accessible taxi services through the government’s Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program (PTAP).

“Accessible transportation is key for community inclusion and participation,” said Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent Investing in wheelchair-accessible taxis will help reduce wait times for accessible rides while ensuring people can navigate the communities where they work and live.  Increasing inclusive and accessible transportation options in Chilliwack benefits everyone in our community.”

In Chilliwack, Chilliwack Taxis is receiving $188,222 and Cheam Taxi is receiving $45,539 in order to improve wheelchair accessibility within their fleet.

“Transportation should be accessible for everybody,” said Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack “As Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transportation, I am glad our government was able to provide nearly $7 million for more wheelchair accessible taxi services across the province, including in Chilliwack.”

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 have it converted. 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