NEW WHEELCHAIR-FRIENDLY TAXI AT WORK
Published Wednesday, 24 October, 2007 at 02:45 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
A new wheelchair-friendly taxi, funded by the state government, is in service for the people of Chinchilla on the Darling Downs.
Transport Minister John Mickel said the new taxi would be used for general and community transport when not required by wheelchair-bound passengers.
The vehicle was provided under the government's Accessible Taxis for Queensland program.
"The government established Accessible Taxis for Queensland to fund wheelchair-accessible taxis for rural and remote communities that have a taxi licence but no accessible cab," Mr Mickel said.
"We expect to fund more than 70 vehicles for communities throughout Queensland by the end of 2008.
“For many communities, it will be their first wheelchair cab.
"Many people with mobility problems don't drive, so they need to get a lift from a friend or family member or catch a taxi – it's a major issue for them.
"The new wheelchair-friendly vehicles give these people a level of mobility they have not had, without having to rely on others to help them," he said.
The new Toyota HiAce Commuter is operated for Chinchilla Taxi Service by taxi licensees Ken and Jocelyn Smith. It's equipped with the latest security cameras and can transport one wheelchair-bound passenger at a time.
When not needed for wheelchairs, it can carry up to 10 people at a time.
“In the past, some taxi operators have found it difficult to run a service in rural and remote areas, let alone purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle that can cost up to $80,000," Mr Mickel said.
“The new taxis funded under the Accessible Taxis for Queensland program are larger vehicles, able to carry more passengers than a regular taxi, which boosts capacity for many regional operators.
“For the community, it means better services, for the operators it means a more viable business," he said.
Mr Mickel said the program would ensure Queensland continues to have the highest proportion of wheelchair-accessible taxis of any state in Australia.
“Of the taxi fleet in Queensland, 14 percent is accessible and this will grow to 16 percent when the Accessible Taxis for Queensland program is completed, compared with nine percent in New South Wales," he said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125.
October 24, 2007
Transport Minister John Mickel said the new taxi would be used for general and community transport when not required by wheelchair-bound passengers.
The vehicle was provided under the government's Accessible Taxis for Queensland program.
"The government established Accessible Taxis for Queensland to fund wheelchair-accessible taxis for rural and remote communities that have a taxi licence but no accessible cab," Mr Mickel said.
"We expect to fund more than 70 vehicles for communities throughout Queensland by the end of 2008.
“For many communities, it will be their first wheelchair cab.
"Many people with mobility problems don't drive, so they need to get a lift from a friend or family member or catch a taxi – it's a major issue for them.
"The new wheelchair-friendly vehicles give these people a level of mobility they have not had, without having to rely on others to help them," he said.
The new Toyota HiAce Commuter is operated for Chinchilla Taxi Service by taxi licensees Ken and Jocelyn Smith. It's equipped with the latest security cameras and can transport one wheelchair-bound passenger at a time.
When not needed for wheelchairs, it can carry up to 10 people at a time.
“In the past, some taxi operators have found it difficult to run a service in rural and remote areas, let alone purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle that can cost up to $80,000," Mr Mickel said.
“The new taxis funded under the Accessible Taxis for Queensland program are larger vehicles, able to carry more passengers than a regular taxi, which boosts capacity for many regional operators.
“For the community, it means better services, for the operators it means a more viable business," he said.
Mr Mickel said the program would ensure Queensland continues to have the highest proportion of wheelchair-accessible taxis of any state in Australia.
“Of the taxi fleet in Queensland, 14 percent is accessible and this will grow to 16 percent when the Accessible Taxis for Queensland program is completed, compared with nine percent in New South Wales," he said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125.
October 24, 2007