The Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program (PTAP) supports the taxi industry in delivering improved services and experiences for the accessibility community by providing funding and training to expand availability of wheelchair accessible taxis.
Please note that this Program description should be read together with the applicable program Terms and Conditions. If there is a conflict or discrepancy between this Program description and the program Terms and Conditions, the Terms and Conditions will prevail.
The WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate provides rebates for applicants for the added maintenance costs associated with operating a WAV taxi compared to operating a non-accessible taxi.
Two additional rebates will be available during the 2025 application period:
These two rebates are subject to the available funding in the rebate program after all other rebates have been totaled and may be pro-rated for a portion of the year. Each vehicle is eligible for one Auto Insurance Rebate and one Fuel Rebate. To qualify for these rebates, proof of auto insurance must be submitted as part of the application.
Applicants are not required to submit maintenance expenses to apply for the Fuel and Auto Insurance Rebates, however, they must complete the WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate application form.
Applicants
Eligibility criteria are defined in the WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate Terms and Conditions.
Eligibility criteria requires that applicants:
Note: WAV operators that incurred expenses and operate under one Passenger Transportation Licence (e.g. shared dispatch services) should contact the company to apply on their behalf as the licence holder (company) is the applicant.
If this applies, a WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate Consent Form must be completed as part of the application process. The consent form allows the company to apply for rebates on behalf of the WAV operators that incur expenses. The applicant may not withhold any portion of the rebate funds from whomever ultimately paid for the expense.
Application criteria
Between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, applicants must have:
As part of the application process applicants must:
Please see the WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate Terms and Conditions for all submission requirements.
Applicants will be asked for a clear photo of a vehicle’s Transport Canada mobility conversion decal showing the National Safety Mark, if one is not on file with the Province.
Eligible and ineligible expenses
Eligible maintenance expenses for the WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate are defined as any expenses associated with maintaining and repairing a WAV to ensure its safe operation, state of good repair, and availability. Examples include but are not limited to:
Ineligible expenses are defined as any expenses not covered under the definition of eligible expenses. For example:
Maximum rebate value
The maximum rebate value for each WAV will be based on the:
A cap may be applied to the total rebate for each vehicle based on applications received and total available funding. Applicants are encouraged to submit all eligible maintenance expenses they have incurred.
Fuel and Auto Insurance Rebates
Additional rebate opportunities include:
These additional rebates depend on available funding and may be prorated for the portion of the year the vehicle was in operation in 2024.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for the WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate, even if they have not incurred maintenance expenses to qualify for the fuel and auto insurance rebates.
The Acquisition and Conversion Funding Stream will subsidize applicants for the added costs associated with purchasing or converting a WAV taxi compared to a non-accessible taxi by providing rebates for eligible costs.
Applicants
Eligibility Criteria are defined in the WAV Acquisition and Conversion Rebate Terms and Conditions
Eligibility criteria requires that applicants:
Note: WAV operators that incurred expenses and operate under one Passenger Transportation Licence (e.g. shared dispatch services) should contact the company to apply on their behalf as the licence holder (company) is the applicant.
If this applies, a WAV Acquisition and Conversion Rebate Consent Form must be completed as part of the application process. The consent form allows the company to apply for rebates on behalf of the WAV operators that incur expenses. The applicant may not withhold any portion of the rebate funds from whomever ultimately paid for the expense.
Application criteria
Applications with eligible expenses must be submitted within 12 months of the eligible acquisition or conversion date.
The WAV Acquisition and Conversion Rebate intake will remain open as long as program funding is available.
An applicant must:
As part of the application process, applicants must:
Please see the WAV Acquisition and Conversion Rebate Terms and Conditions for all submission requirements.
Eligible and ineligible expenses
Eligible expenses for the WAV Acquisition and Conversion Rebate are defined as expenses incurred for:
Acquisition: The purchase cost of a wheelchair accessible vehicle or a vehicle that has been purchased and converted to a wheelchair accessible vehicle. To be eligible the ramp must be installed before applying for funding. The conversion must take place within 12 months of purchasing the vehicle for the vehicle purchase cost to be eligible.
Conversion: The costs to convert a vehicle into a wheelchair accessible vehicle (e.g. install a ramp). To be eligible the conversion must be completed before applying for funding.
Ineligible expenses are defined as any expenses not covered under the definition of eligible expenses. Examples include but are not limited to:
Note: Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)/Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) is only eligible for the WAV Acquisition and Conversion Rebate once, except in circumstances where the vehicle is purchased by a new owner in an eligible rural community.
Eligible rural communities include the following communities:
Please see the Economic Regions of British Columbia Regions for a map.
If you are purchasing a used vehicle and are located in an eligible rural community, please contact PTAP@gov.bc.ca to inquire if the vehicle may be eligible for an additional rebate.
Maximum rebate value
The maximum rebate value for each WAV will be based on the:
The Province may adjust the grant amounts at any time, at its sole discretion, based on available funding.
Applicants should be aware that the Province may audit their application at any time. Additional information and records may be requested to verify the application. The Province may, at its sole discretion, reject an application and the rebate may be forfeited or repayment be required if the applicable Terms and Conditions are not complied with. Applicants must keep all original invoices, receipts and documents on file for two years after receiving a rebate.
The B.C. Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program (PTAP) provides rebates to help eligible licensee taxi operators for the costs incurred to maintain, purchase, and convert wheelchair accessible taxis.
The Province launched the Maintenance Rebate in January 2023. It partially reimburses eligible licensee taxi operators for costs incurred to maintain wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs). This rebate will continue in 2025 as the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Maintenance and Operation Rebate and is expected to continue in the future.
The Province launched the Acquisition and Conversion Rebate in January 2024. It provides a rebate to eligible licensee taxi operators for costs incurred to purchase and convert vehicles into wheelchair-accessible taxis. This rebate will continue and is expected to be available on an ongoing basis as long as funds remain available.
The Province may launch additional rebates over the coming years which will focus on reducing the cost of operating WAVs and providing training opportunities that will help support service for people that rely on wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
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 operators who want to provide services to support the accessibility community are struggling with the expenses of these vehicles over conventional vehicles.
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.
Before applying for program rebates:
A Business BCeID is required to access the program rebates. Please register for a Business BCeID as soon as possible as there may be application processing wait times.
The Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program rebates support the taxi industry to increase the availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles and improve accessible transportation services.
The application intake for the WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate is now open, and will remain open until noon on February 14, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
The application intake for the WAV Acquisition and Conversion Rebate is now open and will remain open on an on-going basis, as long as funding is available.
Page Last Updated: December 10, 2024
If you have any questions about PTAP, please feel free to contact us.
Please note this phone line is for voicemail use only. Leave your name, contact information, and preferred time for a callback and your call will be returned promptly.
Email:
PTAP@gov.bc.ca
