Wheelchair Accessible Taxis

Information about the wheelchair accessible taxis in the Australian Capital Territory

Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Customer Satisfaction Survey Results 

WAT you should know about the taxi services available to you

This information is issued by the Road Transport Authority to assist users of wheelchair accessible taxis. The Government believes that WATs are a necessity for people who are mobility impaired, NOT a luxury.

WAT networks

Networks are the taxi companies controlling the day to day operations of all taxis in the ACT, including the wheelchair accessible taxi (WAT) fleet.

WAT network responsibilities

Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Networks are required under the ACT Road Transport legislation to provide a minimum standard of service to all passengers. They are required to:

• ensure that WATs give priority to people who use a wheelchair;
• inform people of the expected time of arrival of the WAT; and
• advise the Road Transport Authority of any WAT driver who does not give priority to a person in a wheelchair.

WAT driver responsibilities

All WAT drivers are required to undergo training appropriate to the needs of mobility impaired people. Drivers must:

• provide considerate and courteous attention to the needs of all passengers;
• ensure that each passenger and his or her mobility device are correctly secured;
• ensure persons in scooters relocate and occupy a passenger seat (effective 1 March 2003);
• take care to ensure that passengers are set down as close to their destination as safety will allow;
• provide assistance to wheelchair passengers to ensure that their special needs are met; and
• ensure that priority is given to a person in a wheelchair over a standard taxi hiring.

Mobility devices

All passengers and their mobility device must be restrained while travelling in a WAT (unless exempt). This is to ensure the comfort and safety of all passengers and the driver.

Some mobility devices, particularly scooters, cannot be fitted or safely secured in WATs due to their dimensions or construction.

In some circumstances, drivers will be able to secure your scooter, but you must relocate and occupy a passenger seating position (effective 1 March 2003).

Responsibility for passenger safety rests with the driver. Drivers may refuse to carry a passenger whose device can't be safely restrained while travelling in a WAT.

Ensure that your mobility device is suitable for transporting in a WAT.

Complaints

The Road Transport Authority is committed to ensuring that the disabled community receives equal access to taxi services. Your ongoing help is needed to identify problems with the service. If your taxi doesn't arrive on time, at all, or if you experience driver behaviour that concerns you please write to:

Road Transport
WAT Services
GPO Box 151
Civic Square
ACT 2608

or

email : taxiservices@act.gov.au

Note

Recognition is also given for quality service. If the service you receive is pleasing, please let us know.

A person who is treated unfavourably because of a disability, is discriminated against under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

In March 2005 the Minister for (then) Urban Services formed the Wheelchair Accessible Taxis Reference Group to address the serious community concerns expressed about the level of service provided by WATs to Canberra’s disabled community. The Reference Group composed representatives from Government and community. Below is the final Report from the Group.

• Wheelchair Accessible Taxis Reference Group Report - September 2005 ( Word 309Kb)

Following the implementation of the majority of the Wheelchair Accessible Taxis Reference Group recommendations, the Department of Territory and Municipal Services sought feedback from users of WAT’s on the current situation. Below is a précis of the key issues raised.

• Wheelchair Accessible Taxis Community Consultation Summary - March 2007( PDF 80Kb)

Fact Sheets

Wheelchair Hirings and Lift Fee Only Vouchers ( PDF 50Kb)

Taxi Subsidy Scheme and Lift Fee Only Vouchers ( PDF 1.36Mb)