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Efforts to deregulate the taxi industry in New South Wales have sparked fears about accessibility in regional areas.
Key points:
The Point to Point Transport Amendment Bill, which brings a raft of reforms to the NSW taxi industry, passed the upper house last week
Drivers will be reimbursed between $40,000 to $195,000 for taxi licences, which have "devalued" as a result of the deregulation of rideshare apps
The government has pledged to review the impact of deregulation on country town services and wheelchair accessibility
Legislation passed in state parliament this week has brought the industry closer in line with rideshare apps such as Uber with the stated aim of providing "more choice and availability of services for customers".
But Council on the Ageing NSW chief executive Marika Kontellis said the measures could remove the financial incentive for companies to buy accessible vehicles.
Accessible taxis were previously exempt from licence plate fees, but those fees will be scrapped to reflect the "devaluing" of taxi plates due to the deregulation of rideshare services in 2015.
"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.
"If they are not readily available, then people miss out on their doctor appointments, connecting with loved ones, working in the community."
Dubbo retiree Sue Clair said she relied on accessible buses and taxis as her means of getting around in the community.
She said those services had allowed her to have a vibrant social life even at the age of 92.
"I've got to have it, it's my only means of transport," she said.
Her friend Margaret Moon, a fellow member of the Walter T Grant Memorial Social and Card Club, said she also relied on taxis and on-demand public transport services provided by not-for-profit community organisation LiveBetter
The bingo enthusiast said she needed to catch an accessible bus to come into town and a taxi in order to return home.
"I've got my own car, but I had an accident and broke my wrist, so I've used LiveBetter for 12 months," Ms Moon said.
"I want to be in the LiveBetter system because I've just turned 82, and it makes me realise how quickly you can lose your licence."
Zoning laws scrapped
Zoning laws were scrapped as part of the reforms, meaning that taxi drivers would no longer have to remain within designated areas.
Shadow Regional Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said she had been told by taxi providers that it would not be viable to operate in small towns such as Wellington under the new laws.
She said drivers who previously serviced Wellington would be incentivised to move to Dubbo, which was previously zoned as a separate area.
"They'll go to where the customers are," Ms Aitchison said.
"When you take the restrictions off and completely deregulate without a plan B there are going to be unintended consequences for places like Wellington."
Government wants to 'support new entrants'
Regional Roads Minister Sam Farraway said the government needed to do "more work" with regards to wheelchair accessibility.
However, he said the government was working on initiatives to support accessible taxis and regional services.
"We have committed to increase the subsidy for wheelchair-accessible taxis," he said.
"I want to be able to work as the regional minister on ways we can support new entrants into the taxi market and make a taxi service sustainable for that operator in a community like Bourke and Wellington."
Wellington's taxi provider 13cabs told the ABC the company wanted to expand its services in regional NSW, not reduce them.
"We want to see regional NSW taxi services grow, and continue to serve their communities," chief operating officer Olivia Barry said.
The government has pledged to review the impact of deregulation on regional services and wheelchair accessibility in two years' time.