The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver fair access to Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in NSW by offering $2,500 operational support grants and a new round of interest-free loans to eligible operators.
The $2,500 grant for eligible Wheelchair Accessible Taxi vehicle owners is part of a $15 million emergency package announced late last year and it is intended to address the shortage of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in NSW.
It will help with the higher costs associated with operating a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi on the road compared to a standard taxi, and is now open to applications.
A new round of the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Loan Scheme will also open for application this week and will assist taxi operators in NSW with placing new and additional accessible taxis into operation.
The interest-free loans fund the cost of purchasing, modifying and/or retrofitting a vehicle for use as a compliant Wheelchair Accessible Taxi.
The emergency funding package includes $2 million for an operational support grant program and the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Loan Scheme has made available $5 million including an increase to the maximum loan value to $125,000.
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis are an essential part of the NSW transport system and help people with disability to get to health appointments, engage in employment and education and participate in social activities.
NSW is experiencing an ongoing shortage in the supply of these taxis leading to service disruptions and longer wait times for customers who travel in their wheelchair or mobility device. This is because the previous government ignored warnings that its deregulation of the taxi industry would exacerbate the difficulties facing the Wheelchair Accessibility Taxi industry.
The previous government took away the main incentive to become a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi driver because accessible taxis were no longer exempt from paying the licence plate fees.
Early in 2025 the NSW Government began addressing the shortage of wheelchair accessible taxis by delivering an emergency funding package of $15 million over one year to support better services for people with disability.
The funding package is designed to stabilise the current decline in service availability while longer-term reform actions, including options for funding a sustainable and viable accessible point to point transport sector, are developed.
Further details on both the operational support grants and the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Loan Scheme are available on the Transport for NSW website.
Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
"We heard from operators that rising costs have made providing accessible services less viable - these actions respond directly to those concerns.
"Without additional support, the industry has warned it would struggle to retain existing vehicles, let alone attract new entrants. We are stepping in to change that.
"This funding package lays the groundwork for long-term reform to build a sustainable, accessible point-to-point transport sector for NSW."
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"It's become more and more difficult for wheelchair accessible taxis to operate across NSW. The number of these taxis has been dropping over the last few years, and that's a situation that simply cannot continue.
"So many people with a disability rely on wheelchair accessible taxis to get where they need to go - for many there is no alternative. That's why this funding package is so important.
"These actions will give operators a better incentive to stay in the industry, keep more wheelchair accessible taxis on the road and improve services for the people who need them most."
Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:
"We're working hard to clean up the mess left by the former government - their decisions literally left people with disability stranded.
"We are acting to ensure there are more wheelchair accessible taxis on our roads so those who rely on them can go about their daily lives.
"These measures mean more than just transport - they are about independence, dignity, and ensuring people with disability can fully participate in their communities."
Nick Abrahim, Chief Executive Officer, NSW Taxi Council, said:
"The NSW Taxi Council welcomes this new round of grants and interest free loans being announced by the Ministers' involved as a positive step towards supporting Operators of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis."
