Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria is the state regulator for all commercial passenger vehicle services including taxis, hire cars and rideshare. It has information for passengers with a disability, including how to book a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, travelling with assistance animals, your rights as a passenger and driver obligations.
The Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) assists with the travel needs of people with severe and permanent disabilities by offering subsidised taxi fares to members. It is run by the Victorian Government.
Assistance animals
Commercial passenger vehicle drivers have a legal responsibility to transport passengers and their assistance animals.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) you can't discriminate against people who use an assistance animal. Some assistance animals wear identification and others don't, but as long as they are trained to help a person alleviate their disability, they are considered an assistance animal.
Booking a wheelchair-accessible vehicle
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) allow people who use wheelchairs to travel in their wheelchair if they and the wheelchair can be safely restrained in the vehicle.
To organise a wheelchair accessible vehicle, just ask for one when you call to place your booking. Taxi services operating in Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs include:
- Silver Top Taxis: phone 131 108
- 13 cabs: phone 13 2227
Ridesharing services
Ridesharing services such as Uber and Shebah (an all-women rideshare service) can be booked through mobile phone apps and are available throughout Melbourne.
City of Melbourne cannot vouch for the accessibility of commercial ridesharing services. Please check with companies directly as to whether they have services that are accessible for people with a disability.