Durham residents who rely on wheelchair-accessible transportation will soon have more options, following the approval of a new inter-municipal exemption designed to expand the availability of accessible taxi services across the region.
The exemption has been approved by the municipalities of Oshawa, Ajax, Clarington, Pickering, Uxbridge, and Whitby, allowing wheelchair-accessible taxicabs licensed in any participating Durham municipality to pick up passengers in another participating municipality and transport them to any destination.
The change was announced by the City of Oshawa, which implemented an amendment to its Vehicle-for-Hire By-law 31-2022. Under the new rules, wheelchair-accessible taxis holding a valid licence from a participating municipality can operate across municipal boundaries, provided the trip begins in a municipality that has adopted the exemption.
City officials say the goal is to increase the availability of accessible transportation by giving drivers more flexibility to accept fares throughout the region, while still maintaining strict safety and accessibility standards.
The exemption applies only to wheelchair-accessible taxicabs, and all vehicles must continue to meet existing licensing, safety, and accessibility requirements.
Municipal leaders say the move reflects a shared commitment across Durham Region to improving mobility options and reducing transportation barriers for residents with accessibility needs.
Photo Credits : Durham Post
