Add Category
Western Australia's far north is home to just one wheelchair accessible taxi service, with advocates calling for an expansion to improve transport for residents and visitors.
Derby Taxi Service is the only provider in WA's Kimberley with a wheelchair accessible taxi, having used a state government grant to install equipment this year.
Providers in the region have steadily wound back wheelchair accessible vehicles in recent years, citing the expense of operation and installing the specialist equipment.
Derby Taxi Service manager Sage Al-Saabary said there had been demand for an accessible taxi for years.
"Sometimes they are begging us 'please come, just help us. We want to go to the shop'," he said.
"You need to do a good service, especially for disabled people."
Sage Al-Saabary says the Derby community has been calling out for a wheelchair taxi service. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)
Mr Al-Saabary said it had not been safe to take wheelchair passengers in his vehicle before making the modifications.
According to data from the latest census, more than 35,000 people live in the Kimberley region, with 3,500 of those in the town of Derby.
The population can grow to double that amount during the busy tourist season.
Calls for expansion
Far North Community Services chief executive Kathy Hough said not having access to a wheelchair taxi could be socially isolating.
"It takes away some of the independence for people and it does move a reliance to more paid supports or connection with a service provider," she said.
Ms Hough said she was aware of people living with a disability cancelling a Kimberley holiday because they knew that there was no accessible taxi between the airport and hotels.
"When you have a region like the Kimberley which has a big tourism element, we know that's a huge market share that tourism providers will be missing out on if those people can't come to the region," she said.
"People have the right to access all areas of the community and really it is something the town [Broome] needs."
Bunuba man and disability advocate Victor Patrick said it was important for the town to offer a service that ensured equal travel opportunities.
"It's good for people to know there's a taxi available and it's good because it gives them a right to be able to go to the shops, to be able to go anywhere they need to and be transported back home," the Derby resident said.
Victor Patrick says the new service is needed across the region. (ABC Kimberley: Mya Kordic)
Mr Patrick said while service expansion to other local towns was needed, it would require a strong commitment from taxi companies.
"We know the movement towards that process is going to take some time," he said.
"The taxi services have to want to provide those types of facilities and see it as important."
Sage Al-Saabary has the only wheelchair accessible taxi service in the Kimberley region. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)
Grants still up for grabs
Minister for Transport David Michael said the new service in Derby would allow more transport options for people who used wheelchairs.
"The Department of Transport has assured me it will continue to consider Broome and the Kimberley when selecting regions for future rounds of its Regional WAV Service Taxi Grant Scheme," he said.
The next round of the regional taxi scheme will open to operators across the state in mid-September.