In a significant boost for accessible on-demand transport in the State’s north, taxi operators in Exmouth and Port Hedland are the recipients of the Cook Government’s 2025-2026 Regional Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxi Service Grants.
The 2025-2026 grant round prioritised areas identified by the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI), to ensure funding was targeted to areas with the greatest need.
Exmouth Bus Charter has been awarded a grant of $80,000 to establish and operate a WAV taxi service alongside its existing charter business. Exmouth was identified as a high-priority location for the grant as there is currently no WAV taxi service available.
In Port Hedland, Awale Jibril has been awarded $60,000 to operate an additional WAV taxi service in the town. This additional service will be affiliated with Dreamtime Taxis, a previous recipient of the grant in 2024-2025.
The DTMI administered grants provide financial support to operators to establish a WAV taxi service in a town without accessible on-demand transport. The grants also support regional operators with an existing WAV taxi service to meet demand or ensure continuity of service.
Operators can apply for the following funding offerings:
- up to $80,000 to establish a new WAV taxi service in a regional town where none exists;
- up to $60,000 to enable regional operators to replace a WAV or purchase an additional vehicle to meet demand; and
- up to $20,000 to modify a suitable vehicle to transport passengers who must remain seated in a wheelchair where an established WAV taxi service already exists.
For more information, visit the DTMI website.
