Are you a passenger transport driver? Visit Transporting people with disability for more information about working with passengers with disability and your responsibilities under the Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS).
What are wheelchair accessible vehicles?
Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) are on-demand passenger transport vehicles that are used to transport people with disability, and any mobility aids they may use (including wheelchairs).
Note: WAVs are not designed to carry or load/unload passengers while they are seated on a mobility scooter (gopher), and it is unsafe to do so. Read more about working with mobility aids and devices.
WAVs require specific vehicle modifications to safely transport passengers with disability and their mobility aids. Modifications may include wheelchair ramps, hoists and other tiedown or restraint equipment. Read the WAV equipment and modifications section to find out the technical requirements.
WAVs can carry all types of taxi passengers but are obliged by law to give priority to passengers in wheelchairs. People who use wheelchairs may still be able to access taxi services in conventional vehicles, depending on their accessibility needs.
WAV equipment and modifications
WAV standards
WAVs must comply with the below Australian Standards.
- AS 3856.1:2021, Hoists and ramps for people with disabilities — Vehicle mounted, Part 1: Product requirements
- AS 3856.2:2021, Hoists and ramps for people with disabilities — Vehicle fitted, Part 2: Fitting requirements, and
- AS/NZS 10542.1:2015, Technical systems and aids for people with disability – Wheelchair tiedown and occupant-restraint systems, Part 1: Requirements and test methods for all systems.
These Australian Standards can be viewed in-person by making an appointment request with On-demand Transport: ondemandtransport@transport.wa.gov.au.
WAVs must also comply with the following elements of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002:
- the provisions of Part 9 that apply to taxis; and
- Section 12.5.
Installation of hoists, ramps, tiedowns and occupant-restraint systems are classified as complex vehicle modifications. Complex modifications require approval from the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI). For more information, visit PTV equipment and modification requirements.
Camera surveillance units for WAVs
As WAVs must be authorised as an on-demand rank or hail (taxi) passenger transport vehicle, they must have a camera surveillance unit (CSU) installed that meets current standards. Due to the size and layout of WAV taxis, one camera may not be sufficient to capture all required areas of the vehicle.
Work with your camera installer to ensure that the device you choose for your WAV has sufficient cameras to capture footage of all passengers from the torso up.
For more information about CSUs, visit Camera surveillance units.
Imported wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs)
DTMI is aware of several models of vehicle that can be imported to Western Australia, intended to be used as WAV taxis.
Imported WAV taxis must meet the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002. Many models of imported WAV do not meet these standards for certain reasons. For example, the internal dimensions and door sizes are too small.
Vehicles that don’t meet these standards cannot be used to provide WAV taxi services in WA. See the WAV equipment and modifications section for more information.
If you are trying to establish if a vehicle has been imported, you may be able to tell from the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Some vehicles imported into Australia will have a “surrogate VIN”, which begins with “6ZZ”. You can check your vehicle’s registration certificate or the owner’s manual to find the VIN. For more information about surrogate VINs, visit the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts website.
If you are considering purchasing an imported WAV, please email On-demand Transport at ondemandtransport@transport.wa.gov.au to discuss your options.
WAV Modification Grant
The WAV Modification Grant offers up to $34,000 to support eligible taxi operators in metropolitan or regional WA with the cost of:
- modifications to install wheelchair hoist and restraint systems, or
- the replacement of ageing wheelchair hoist and restraint systems.
Read more about the WAV Modification Grant.
Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant
The Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant offers up to $100,000 to support eligible taxi passenger transport vehicle operators in regional WA to:
- establish a new WAV taxi service in a regional area, or
- ensure continuation of current services in areas where a WAV taxi service is being provided, but is absent, insufficient or at risk of the service being discontinued.
For more information visit the Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant page.