Regional and rural communities across New South Wales are concerned about the lack of availability to accessible taxis after recent legislative reform, according to ABC News.
The Point to Point Transport Amendment Bill was passed in the NSW Upper House last week and will see accessible taxis, previously exempted from paying licence plate fees, now having to pay.
CEO of the Council on the Ageing NSW, Marika Kontellis, told ABC News the reforms will cause companies to opt out of buying accessible vehicles as there is no financial incentive.
“We think there could be a risk to the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis available to people, particularly in rural and remote towns,” Ms Kontellis said.
While the NSW Government has pledged to review the impact of deregulation on wheelchair accessibility and country town services in two years’ time, many people are worried about the immediate effects.
“If they are not readily available, then people miss out on their doctor appointments, connecting with loved ones, working in the community,” Ms Kontellis said.
The new reform is grounded in bringing “more choice and availability of services for customers” and brings the taxi industry more in line with rideshare apps like DiDi and Uber.
Source: ABC News.
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