Accessible taxis are an essential part of the infrastructure for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Unfortunately these adapted vehicles come with a high price tag. The initial purchase is just the tip of the iceberg, as it costs a lot to maintain an accessible fleet. The good news is — at least in British Columbia — that more funding is now available to help taxi companies maintain their accessible vehicles.

British Columbia Rebate

Launched in January 2023, the Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program Maintenance Rebate has provided $2.6 million in grants to 51 British Columbia taxi companies. This has subsequently resulted in the the maintenance of nearly 400 wheelchair-accessible taxis.

The grants were awarded to the following British Columbia companies.

• Abbotsford Taxi
• AC Taxi
• Alberni District United Cabs Association
• Aldergrove-Langley Taxi
• Alouette Transit Systems
• Bel-Air Taxi
• Black Top Cabs
• Bluebird Cabs
• Bonny’s Taxi
• Central Valley Taxi
• Cheam Taxi
• Checkmate Cabs
• Chilliwack Taxi
• Comox Taxi
• Coquitiam Taxi
• Delta Sunshine Taxi
• Duncan Taxi
• ESQ Taxi
• Garden City Cabs of Richmond
• Golden Cabs BC
• Guilford Cabs
• Irish Creek Management
• Kami Cabs
• Kelowna Cabs
• Kimber Cabs
• Maclure Cabs
• Meadow Ridge Taxi
• Mission Taxi
• Newston Whalley Hi Way Taxi
• North Shore Taxi
• Oceanside Taxi
• Penticton Eco Taxi
• Penticton Klassic Kabs
• Penticton Yellow Taxi
• Port Coquitlam Taxi
• Prince George Taxi
• Richmond Cabs
• Royal City Taxi
• Sidney Taxi
• Skeena Taxi
• Surdwell Kennedy Taxi
• Swiftsure Taxi
• Syd’s Taxi
• This Rides 4 U Wheelchair Services
• Vancouver Taxi
• Vernon Taxi
• Victoria Taxi Transportation
• West Kelowna Taxi
• White Rock SotuSurrey Taxi
• Yellow Cab
• Yellow Cab Victoria

Says Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility, “Supporting more accessible and inclusive businesses is critical in our ongoing work to remove barriers and build a province that works for everyone. Working with our partners in the taxi industry helps ensure people in B.C. have access to the transportation they need in their day-to-day lives.”

Additional funding streams that will focus on the cost of purchasing and operating wheelchair-accessible taxis will also be launched in the next two years. It’s hoped that the original grant program combined with this additional funding will help increase the availability of wheelchair-accessible taxis throughout the province.