A woman living with a disability in Busselton has been left stranded at her home on several occasions after she has been unable to access a taxi or public transport on Sundays.
On one occasion the woman lost her balance at home, she fell into a window which caused a gash to her leg. Because the injury was not life-threatening she was hesitant to call an ambulance to take her to hospital.
On another occasion the woman needed to go to the shops to purchase sanitary items on a Sunday but was unable to get there because taxis and buses do not operate on Sundays.
The resident, named Paula, said she could rely on her parents, who live in the area, for transport but they frequently travelled so were not always available to provide her support.
"It started in December when I needed a cab on a Sunday, it has happened several times since," she said.
"Public transport does not operate on Sundays either.
"I do have a motorised scooter but when you are not feeling well it is difficult and it does not have weather protection.
"Nobody can explain why, it is frustrating.
"Why can't the services be resumed?
"It has impacted me mentally and physically. If it has happened to me, it must have happened to other people as well."
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Similar issues have occurred in other regional areas across WA where elderly and disabled passengers have experienced long wait times for taxis.
WA Country Taxi Operators Association have warned for some time that regional services were at risk because the state government failed to adequately compensate them when the industry was deregulated.
Adding to the pressure faced by operators, a lack of incentive and COVID-19 income relief has made it difficult to hire drivers
Busselton Taxi owner Jeff Devenny said they stopped operating services on Sundays in December last year.
"It does not sit well with us, when we first decided to do this it was Monday nights as well," he said.
"We managed to find more drivers."
Mr Devenny said while it was difficult to find drivers because of COVID-19 [income support] , the reality was that there was no reward for anyone to work in the industry.
"For little pay no one wants to do it," he said.
"We have not had a rate rise for seven years, since 2014.
"We have brought this to the attention of the Department of Transport and they have told us that there are lots of other transport options around.
"They really need to come up with something.
"There is no big incentive for drivers to work on Sundays they earn $22 per hour then pay GST and tax on top of that.
"I cannot see us restarting on Sundays again, we have picked up a few extra drivers which is good.
"It would be good to hear from the minister what the other transport options are because if you use a wheelchair there is no other option for you to get out on a Sunday."
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said since the government reformed the industry operators had greater flexibility to innovate and adjust their services to meet demand.
Ms Saffioti said the State Government was currently reviewing metered fares and would make announcements on these in the future.
"As with any changes it can take a while to adjust - however I do not believe a review is required," she said.
"The Department of Transport works closely with local government and community stakeholders to understand the demand for passenger transport services in regional areas and to support community and commercial transport providers to address any unmet demand that is identified.
"The Government provides access to a Taxi User Subsidy Scheme, wheelchair transport co-payment and vehicle modification grant.
"These programs work together to support supply and demand for commercial transport for people with limited mobility."
Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said there was no doubt the On Demand Taxi Reform had a detrimental impact on regional WA, particularly for people with disabilities and seniors who have no alternatives with a reduction in services.
"The minister continues to ignore there is a problem in the regions and insists the reform of the industry will bring benefits to customers and business across WA. This is not the case," she said.
"I have asked as a matter of urgency that the State Government undertake an urgent review to identify any unintended consequences of the reform process and to recommend how these shortfalls can be addressed so that those people who rely on these services are able to access them.
"It is essential that the minister listens to the customers and taxi businesses who are experiencing first-hand the effect of the reform, introduced by the McGowan government."
