5 August 2026
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering practical reforms to improve fare certainty, strengthen wheelchair accessible transport services and enhance safety across the commercial passenger vehicle sector.
The reforms increase financial support for people who rely on wheelchair accessible transport, provide greater certainty around taxi fares and introduce improved training for drivers.
Developed in partnership with industry and disability advocates through the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Forum, the package delivers on the CLP Government's commitment to a fairer, safer and more accessible transport system for Territorians.
Territorians relying on taxis and wheelchair accessible transport will benefit from improved fare transparency, enhanced accessibility support and increased transport options under a Commercial Passenger Vehicle (CPV) reform package announced today by the Finocchiaro CLP Government.
These updates are aimed at improving wheelchair accessible transport services, providing taxi customers with greater fare certainty.
They follow extensive consultation with the industry and disability advocates, delivering on the CLP commitment to improve accessibility, affordability, and services across CPV services.
To improve disability transport options, financial incentives will be boosted and structural reforms introduced to streamline costs and aim to improve vehicle availability. Transport Subsidy Scheme allocations will increase for eligible members, providing additional support for people who rely on CPV services.
Taxi networks will be able to offer optional pre-negotiated (set) fares based on the estimated metered fare for the journey, providing passengers with greater certainty about the cost of their journey before travel.
The reforms, being progressively rolled out from 1 August 2026, follow the re-establishment of the CPV Forum, which engaged directly with industry members and passengers via a public survey.
Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan said the reforms deliver practical results for passengers and people living with disability.
"Whether you are catching a taxi to get from A to B or relying on specialised transport, these reforms will improve service delivery and create a fairer system for everyone," Minister Yan said.
"By making transport more accessible, improving safety and providing greater certainty around fares, we are giving Territorians greater confidence in the transport system while continuing to restore the Territory lifestyle.
"We consulted extensively with industry, disability sector representatives, Transport Subsidy Scheme users, and the broader community through the CPV Forum and public survey process to make sure we made the right improvements."
Minister for Disability Jinson Charls emphasised that equitable transport is fundamental to an inclusive Territory where everyone can participate fully in community life.
"These changes have been a long time coming for Territorians living with restricted mobility, as well as those without a car or unable to drive," Minister Charls said.
"This transport is not just a convenience, it is a vital lifeline to employment, healthcare, education, and social connection.
"Increasing Lift Incentive Scheme payments and Transport Subsidy Scheme allocations will support improved accessibility outcomes, encourage greater participation in wheelchair accessible transport services, and help strengthen the availability of accessible transport options across the Territory.
"We especially thank disability advocates, such as Integrated Disability Action and Disability Advocacy Service, who have been passionate champions for improving accessibility across the Territory."
Helen Pachos, member of the NT Disability Advisory Committee, and a member of the Commercial Vehicle Passenger (CPV) Transport Reform Forum welcomed the changes.
"It is time to refocus on priorities, and these changes are very beneficial in assisting industry to recover," Ms Pachos said.
"Being an industry advocate with over 20 plus years experience with Blue Taxis and Blue Transport Charters - and a mother with a disabled daughter - I can see both challenges of running a viable business and providing a safe reliable service for our most vulnerable.
"These changes are crucial to improve the transport service for members of our community with no other viable means of travel and it's very positive to see this action taken to improve outcomes."
Key reforms and benefits
Under the Lift Incentive Scheme driver payments increase from $20 to $30 per eligible journey, with annual allocations expanding from 180 to 300 payments to improve incentives for drivers providing wheelchair accessible transport services and support improved service availability.
Funding allocations under the Transport Subsidy Scheme have been increased to provide additional support for eligible members and better reflect current transport costs. The $15,000 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Grant has been extended to 30 June 2027 to support continued investment in wheelchair accessible vehicle services.
Multi-Purpose Taxi (MPT) services will be officially renamed Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) services to provide clear, upfront identification for commuters.
Fairer Fares and Pricing Certainty
Taxi networks can offer optional set fares of up to 110 per cent of the estimated metered fare. The arrangement provides greater price certainty before travel while allowing for variables such as traffic conditions and journey time.
High Occupancy Tariffs will be removed and replaced with a fixed $10 Large Vehicle Surcharge for eligible network bookings involving larger vehicles. Customers hiring a larger vehicle from a taxi rank or by street hail will continue to pay standard taxi fares.
Improving Safety
Enhanced driver de-escalation training and upgraded training for wheelchair accessible transport drivers will be rolled out across the sector to improve customer service, passenger confidence, and driver safety.
