News release

Province Invests in Accessible Taxi Service is HRM

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Province Invests in Accessible Taxi Service in HRM


Disabled people in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) are getting better access to wheelchair accessible taxi services.

The province has invested $40,000 to help four operators finance accessible taxis in the municipality.

Last November, HRM lost its only wheelchair accessible taxi service. People with physical disabilities had no access to a taxi service in HRM.

The province consulted with Metro Transit, HRM's taxi committee and the Nova Scotia Disabled Persons Commission to develop a one- time grant program.

"An accessible taxi service is vital for people with disabilities to fully participate in their communities," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "This grant will help four companies provide wheelchair accessible taxi service 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Four grants of $10,000 each have been awarded towards the purchase of accessible vans to service seniors and people with disabilities. The recipients are Darcey Cummings, Ben bella Nafea, Charles Burnell and Nahil Rahim. They will provide wheelchair accessible service throughout HRM, as well as service to and from the Halifax International Airport.

Charles Burnell's accessible taxi service is operating now. The other three accessible taxi services will be operating this spring.