❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses safety concerns regarding wheelchair users in multipurpose taxis (MPTs), focusing on driver training and skill maintenance in disability awareness and wheelchair loading techniques. The response outlines initial training requirements but acknowledges a lack of ongoing training, highlighting potential areas for improvement.
AnsweredQoN 1004Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TAXIS —
MULTIPURPOSE — WHEELCHAIR SAFETY
1004. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer the minister to the use of multipurpose taxis by
people who use wheelchairs.
(1) Is the minister aware of recent media reports regarding
passengers' concerns for their safety?
(2) How often
are MPT drivers trained in disability awareness and the use of the range of
wheelchair-loading techniques and the use of chair locks on restraints?
(3) How often are MPT drivers' skills regarding the
above checked and upgraded?
MULTIPURPOSE — WHEELCHAIR SAFETY
1004. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer the minister to the use of multipurpose taxis by
people who use wheelchairs.
(1) Is the minister aware of recent media reports regarding
passengers' concerns for their safety?
(2) How often
are MPT drivers trained in disability awareness and the use of the range of
wheelchair-loading techniques and the use of chair locks on restraints?
(3) How often are MPT drivers' skills regarding the
above checked and upgraded?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Transport, I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) MPT
drivers are accredited by a nationally recognised unit of competency before
they are approved to operate an MPT. The training that is delivered by a
registered training organisation includes the following elements: carry out
pre-operational checks on vehicles, communicate effectively with passengers,
assist passengers into and out of the vehicle in a manner suited to their
disability, and drive a vehicle used by passengers with disabilities.
(3) There are
no ongoing training requirements; however, the member may be interested to know
that the state government's taxi reform green paper identifies training
and education as areas that can be improved through greater collaboration with
on-demand service operators.
Minister for Transport, I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) MPT
drivers are accredited by a nationally recognised unit of competency before
they are approved to operate an MPT. The training that is delivered by a
registered training organisation includes the following elements: carry out
pre-operational checks on vehicles, communicate effectively with passengers,
assist passengers into and out of the vehicle in a manner suited to their
disability, and drive a vehicle used by passengers with disabilities.
(3) There are
no ongoing training requirements; however, the member may be interested to know
that the state government's taxi reform green paper identifies training
and education as areas that can be improved through greater collaboration with
on-demand service operators.
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