Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program

Funding for the taxi industry to improve accessibility services

Eligibility

Please note that this Program description should be read together with the Terms and Conditions of the Program. If there is a conflict or discrepancy between this Program description and the Terms and Conditions of the Program, the Terms and Conditions of the Program will prevail. 

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.

Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program Rebates

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Maintenance and Operation Rebate

The WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate provides rebates for eligible applicants for the added maintenance costs associated with operating a WAV taxi compared to operating a non-accessible taxi.

Additional rebate opportunities will be available in 2024. For the 2024 intake only, applicants may claim eligible WAV maintenance and repair costs incurred in 2022, if these expenses were not claimed under last year’s rebate program.

Two additional rebates will also be available during the 2024 application period:

  • A flat price Auto Insurance Rebate
  • A flat price Fuel Rebate

These two rebates are subject to the available funding in the rebate program after all other rebates have been totalled and may be pro-rated for a portion of the year. To qualify for these rebates, proof of auto insurance must be submitted as part of the application.

Applicants do not have to have maintenance expenses to apply for the fuel and auto insurance rebates, however, they must complete the WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate application form. 

 

Eligible applicants

Eligible applicants are defined in the Terms and Conditions.

Eligibility criteria requires that applicants:

  • Be resident of BC or business (registered to do business in BC)
  • Be a valid owner-operator of wheelchair accessible taxi vehicles (“WAVs”) under a valid Passenger Transportation Licence with Special Authorization Passenger Directed Vehicle issued under the Passenger Transportation Act

Note: WAV owner-operators that operate under one Passenger Transportation Licence (e.g. shared dispatch services) should contact the individual or business they work for to apply on their behalf (if the owner-operators paid for expenses for a WAV) as the individual or business is the eligible applicant.
 

If this applies, a consent form must be completed as part of the application process. The consent form  allows the individual or business to apply for rebates on behalf of the WAV owner-operator.

 

Application criteria

Between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, eligible applicants must have:

  1. Operated one or more WAVs under your owner-operator licence
  2. Followed the terms and conditions of your licence (including submitting trip and shift data)
  3. Completed accessible trips
  4. Incurred eligible expenses
  5. Paid invoices/receipts detailing those eligible expenses
  6. Certified that all vehicles in the application are wheelchair accessible and are being actively used to complete wheelchair accessible trips 
  7. Certified the auto insurance was in good standing, without withdrawal or cancellation

This year, the program is accepting applications for expenses incurred in the 2022 calendar year. Eligible applicants may include proof of maintenance and repair costs paid for between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, if these expenses were not previously claimed under last year’s rebate program.
 

As part of the application process applicants must provide:

  • Legible copies of paid invoices/receipts clearly marked PAID or similar. Fuel invoices are NOT required
  • Proof of auto insurance that includes vehicle identifying information and the premium amount (e.g. Owners Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence)
  • Please see the Terms and Conditions for all the submission requirements

Applicants may be asked for a clear photo of a vehicle’s compliance label/decal or a CVSE inspection report clearly referencing a vehicle is wheelchair accessible, 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: 

  • Maintenance and repair costs for a WAV’s mechanical systems/running gear (e.g., axles, tires, brakes and rotors, transmissions, engines, suspension systems)
  • Maintenance and repair costs for a WAV’s accessibility-related equipment (e.g., wheelchair-related safety/securement devices, ramp repairs, door mechanisms on the wheelchair accessible entrance)
  • Commercial vehicle inspection costs
  • Towing expenses where the vehicle is unable to be safely operated
  • Driver expenses where repair service is not available in local communities
  • Auto detailing

Ineligible expenses are generally defined as any expenses not covered under the definition of eligible expenses. For example:

  • Costs claimed under last year’s WAV Maintenance Rebate Program
  • Costs that are eligible under a separate rebate
 

Maximum rebate value 

The maximum rebate value for each WAV will be based on the:

  • Shift and trip data submitted by the taxi industry to the Province
  • Total number of eligible applications received
  • Total funding available
  • Applicants may be eligible for additional rebates including fuel and insurance rebates

For the WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate, the average rebate for maintenance expenses is expected to be approximately $6,500 per WAV. A cap may be applied to the total rebate for each vehicle based on applications received and total available funding. Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit all eligible maintenance expenses they have incurred.

 

Additional rebate opportunities 

Additional rebate opportunities include:

  • A flat price Auto Insurance Rebate of approximately $2,400 per WAV
  • A flat price Fuel Rebate of approximately $3,000 per WAV

These additional rebates depend on available funding and may be prorated for the portion of the year the vehicle was in operation in 2023.
 

Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for the WAV Maintenance and Operation Rebate even if they do not have maintenance expenses to qualify for these additional rebates.

 

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Acquisition and Conversion Rebate

The Acquisition and Conversion Funding Stream will subsidize eligible applicants for the added costs associated with purchasing or converting a WAV taxi compared to a non-accessible taxi by providing partial rebates for eligible costs.

 

Eligible applicants 

Eligible applicants are defined in the Terms and Conditions.
 

Eligibility criteria requires that applicants:

  • Be resident of BC or business (registered to do business in BC)
  • Be a valid owner-operator of wheelchair accessible taxi vehicles (“WAVs”) under a valid Passenger Transportation Licence with Special Authorization Passenger Directed Vehicle issued under the Passenger Transportation Act

Note: WAV owner-operators that operate under one Passenger Transportation Licence (e.g. shared dispatch services) should contact the individual or business they work for to apply on their behalf (if the owner-operators paid for expenses for a WAV) as the individual or business is the eligible applicant.
 

If this applies, a consent form must be completed as part of the application process. The consent form allows the individual or business to apply for rebates on behalf of the WAV owner-operator.

 

Application criteria

Between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, eligible applicants must:

  1. Have purchased (at fair market value) and or/converted a vehicle to a wheelchair accessible taxi in compliance with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) and Canadian Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations
  2. Ensure the vehicle is an active WAV under a Passenger Transportation Licence with Special Authorization Passenger Directed Vehicle
  3. Follow the terms and conditions of their licence (including submitting trip and shift data)
  4. Incurred eligible expenses
  5. Certify that all vehicles in the application are being actively used to complete accessible trips

As part of the application process, eligible applicants are required to provide:

  • Legible copies of bill of sale/paid invoices/receipts marked PAID or similar
  • A clear photo of a vehicle’s compliance label/decal
 

Eligible and Ineligible Expenses

Eligible expenses for the WAV Acquisition and Conversion Rebate are defined as expenses incurred between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, for:

  • Purchasing a wheelchair accessible vehicle at fair market value
  • Purchasing a vehicle at fair market value and converting it to a wheelchair accessible vehicle
  • Converting a vehicle that is already owned into wheelchair accessible vehicle

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). The conversion must have taken place between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. To be eligible the conversion must be completed before applying for funding.
 

Ineligible expenses any expenses not covered under the definition of eligible expenses. For example:

  • Vehicle purchase or conversion costs that occurred outside of the eligible dates
  • Purchase of a vehicle that has not yet been converted to a wheelchair accessible vehicle
  • Pre-purchased or back ordered vehicles (not yet received)
  • Deposits related to the purchase or conversion of a vehicle
  • Purchase and/or conversion of a vehicle that is not being used to complete accessible trips
  • Applicable taxes and other costs associated with vehicle purchase, registration, or the transfer of ownership
  • Leased or rented vehicles

Note: Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)/Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) number is only eligible for the WAV Acquisition and Conversion Rebate once.

 

Maximum rebate value 

The maximum rebate value for each WAV will be based on the:

  • Total number of eligible applications received
  • Total funding available
  • Funding for vehicle conversions will be up to 50% of the eligible conversion costs up to a maximum of $9,000
  • Funding for vehicle acquisitions will be up to 20% of eligible purchase at fair market value up to a maximum of $11,000
  • Total funding for eligible acquisition and conversion costs will not exceed $20,000
  • Funding for a purpose build or pre-converted vehicle will be 20% of eligible purchase costs not to exceed $20,000
  • The Province may adjust the grant amounts at any time, at its sole discretion, based on available funding

 

Application review and audit

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 Terms and Conditions are not complied with. 

Overview

The B.C. Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program (PTAP) provides rebates to help eligible licensee taxi owner-operators for the costs incurred to maintain, purchase, and convert WAVs.

The Province launched the Maintenance Rebate in January 2023. It partially reimburses eligible licensee taxi owner-operators for costs incurred to maintain wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs). This rebate will continue in 2024 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 will provide a rebate to eligible licensee taxi owner-operators for costs incurred to purchase and convert vehicles into wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

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.

Benefits

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.

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.

Apply

1

Review important information

Before applying for program rebates:

2

Register for a Business BCeID

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.

3

Get ready to provide

  • Business and contact information including Business/GST Number
  • Passenger Transportation Licence number and National Safety Code number
  • Vehicle Registration Number, VIN, make, model, year, unit number
  • A photo of a vehicle’s compliance label/decal or a CVSE inspection report
  • Proof of auto insurance (e.g. Owners Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle License)
  • Legible electronic copies of paid invoices for each vehicle
  • A completed consent form, if required
4

Rebate online application forms

The Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program rebates support the taxi industry to increase the availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles and improve accessible transportation services.

Applications are currently closed.

Grant Recipients

The Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program 2023-24 grant program provided rebates of almost $7 million to 59 companies representing nearly 475 vehicles.

2023-2024 Recipients
Rebate Recipient  Rebate Value
0967393 BC Ltd (Bee Line Taxi) $20,300
437222 BC Ltd (ESQ Taxi) $16,059
688220 BC Ltd (Howe Sound Taxi) $8,358
A.C. Taxi Ltd $88,514
Abbotsford Taxi Ltd $65,328
Alouette Transit Systems Ltd $56,053
Associate Taxi (Eco Taxi) $8,989
Bel-Air Taxi (1982) Limited $120,606
Black Top Cabs $492,095
Bluebird Cabs Ltd $215,765
Bonny's Taxi Ltd $280,912
Central Valley Taxi Ltd $93,324
Cheam Taxi Ltd $45,539
Checkmate Cabs Ltd $24,289
Chilliwack Taxi Ltd $118,222
Comox Taxi Ltd $20,415
Coquitlam Taxi (1977) Ltd $104,440
Creston Cab Company Inc $16,902
Delta Sunshine Taxi (1972) Ltd (Tsawwassen Taxi/Greencab) $249,829
Duncan Taxi Ltd $13,642
Evergreen Taxi Ltd $26,225
Garden City Cabs of Richmond $96,638
Golden Cabs $12,830
Guildford Cab (1993) Ltd $208,003
Kabir Taxi Ltd $143,427
Kami Cabs Ltd $30,848
Kelowna Cabs (1981) Ltd $165,496
Kimber Cabs Ltd $248,151
Maclures Cabs (1984) Ltd $276,732
Meadow Ridge Taxi Ltd $16,132
Mission Taxi (1980) Ltd $36,764
Newton Whalley Hi Way Taxi Ltd $304,365
North Shore Taxi 1966 Ltd $135,793
NOW Shuttle Limited $38,474
Oceanside Taxi Ltd $5,892
Penticton Eco Taxi $85,037
Penticton Klassic Kabs Ltd $17,096
Penticton Yellow Taxi Ltd $7,665
Port Coquitlam Taxi Ltd $51,039
Prince George Taxi Ltd $44,182
Richmond Cabs Ltd $238,721
Royal City Taxi Ltd $160,539
Salmon Arm Taxi (1978) Ltd $21,423
Sidney Taxi Ltd $15,255
Skeena Taxi Ltd $30,615
Squamish Taxi Ltd $13,077
Sunshine Cabs Limited $30,228
Surdell Kennedy Taxi Ltd $326,421
Swiftsure Taxi Co Ltd $10,191
Syd's Taxi (1984) Ltd $40,358
This Rides 4 U Wheelchair Services Ltd. $49,280
Tunnel 49 Adventures Inc $7,866
Vancouver Taxi Ltd $619,728
Vernon Taxi Ltd $19,437
Victoria Taxi Transportation Ltd $24,249
West Kelowna Taxi Services Ltd $29,439
White Rock South Surrey Taxi (Pacific Cabs) $258,775
Yellow Cab Company Ltd $1,024,894
Yellow Cab Victoria (City and Country Taxi Service) $58,672.00

 

Contact information

Page Last Updated: March 6, 2024

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

Address
PO Box 9850
Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V9W 9T5