The next intake for the WAV Maintenance Rebate will open early in 2024. The Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program will also be launching new grant streams to support accessible taxi trips in BC. Stay tuned for more details.
The Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program (PTAP) will improve services and experiences for the accessibility community by providing funding and training to the taxi industry.
The Maintenance Rebate Funding Stream will subsidize eligible applicants for the added maintenance costs associated with operating a WAV taxi compared to operating a non-accessible taxi by providing partial rebates for eligible maintenance costs.
Eligible applicants are defined as businesses or individuals that meet all the following criteria:
The maximum rebate value or cap for each WAV will be based on the:
The Province estimates that $3 million will be available for the 2023 intake. Based on the number of active WAVs and available funding, the Province anticipates the average rebate per WAV will be approximately $6,000. Applicants are encouraged to submit all eligible expenses they have incurred.
Eligible expenses for the WAV Maintenance Rebate Funding are defined as any expenses associated with maintaining and repairing a WAV to ensure its safe operation, state of good repair, and availability. For example:
Note: To receive a rebate, eligible applicants must submit copies of paid invoices or receipts as part of the application process.
Ineligible Expenses
Ineligible expenses are generally defined as any expenses not covered under the definition of eligible expenses. For example:
The B.C. Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program (PTAP) will provide funding to help with maintaining, operating, purchasing, and converting WAVs, and will provide training to WAV taxi drivers to better support the passengers who rely on them.
The Province launched the Maintenance Rebate Funding Stream in January 2023. It will partially reimburse eligible licensee taxi owner-operators for costs incurred to maintain wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs). The Province will release funding under this intake before March 31, 2023.
Over the next two years, the Province will launch three additional funding streams which will focus on reducing the cost of operating, purchasing, and converting WAVs, and providing training to better support the passengers who rely on them.
People who depend on wheelchair accessible passenger transportation to run errands, access services in their communities, attend appointments, and connect with friends and family have been experiencing increasing wait times, and in some cases no service.
WAV taxi owner-operators who want to provide services to support the accessibility community are struggling with the expenses of these vehicles over conventional vehicles. They may also need training opportunities to help them provide improved services.
The program is designed to provide equitable access for the accessibility community to passenger-directed transportation services. It will support sustaining and increasing the number of WAVs operating in B.C. and enhancing services provided to members of the accessibility community.
The 2023 Maintenance Rebate Funding Stream application intake is now closed.
The website will be updated when future funding streams are available.
For more information about the application process, see the information below.
A Business BCeID is required to access the Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program funding. Please register for a Business BCeID as soon as possible as there may be application processing wait times.
Before applying for the WAV Maintenance Rebate:
If you have any questions about the PTAP, please feel free to contact us.
Please be advised that the phone number is a voicemail only line.
Leave a message and your call will be returned promptly.
Email:
PTAP@gov.bc.ca
PO Box 9850 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V9W 9T5