City Supports Accessibility Rebate Program

City of Charlottetown to Support the Province’s Accessible Transportation Rebate Program
Posted on 04/20/2021
The City of Charlottetown will support the recently announced rebate program that will provide Islanders with a physical disability with additional transportation options.

The City of Charlottetown will provide $5,000 to ensure that as many Islanders as possible can access transportation that suits their needs. This is in addition to the $95,000 that the Government of Prince Edward Island provided to the PEI Council of People with Disabilities for a rebate program to offset the cost of wheelchair accessible vehicles or equipment upgrades.

“It has truly been a pleasure working closely with the Prince Edward Island Council of People with Disabilities, the Provincial Government, Pat & the Elephant, and members of the community to help bring this program to the Island,” said Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown. “We are so thrilled to support an initiative that promotes and prioritizes the inclusion of all citizens, which ultimately reduces barriers to participation in economic and social activities.”

This rebate program is the result of the City of Charlottetown’s committee on accessible transportation, which was struck last year and includes members of City Council, the City of Charlottetown Police Services, the PEI Council of People with Disabilities, the Government of Prince Edward Island, Pat & the Elephant, and members of the community.

“We hope that taxi owner-operators and companies in Charlottetown and across the Island will take advantage of this great opportunity to help individuals with disabilities get where they need to go,” said Councillor Terry MacLeod, who chaired the City of Charlottetown’s committee on accessible transportation. “Accessible transportation is a costly investment, but thanks to the hard work of the City’s partners, we’re pleased to support a program which will make their decision to provide accessible transportation service much easier.”

For more information on program eligibility criteria and how to apply, call the PEI Council of People with Disabilities at 902-892-9149.


Backgrounder:

- The Accessible Transportation Rebate Program will cover 20 per cent of costs up to a maximum of $10,000 for the purchase of an accessible vehicle or equipment upgrades.
- To be eligible for the program, taxi and ride-sharing companies must be incorporated to do business in Prince Edward Island.
- Recipients must agree to maintain and operate the vehicle for a 5-year period and preference will be given to new vehicle purchases. Operators who have used vehicles more than five-years old with less than 60,000 kilometers are also eligible to apply.
- Pat & the Elephant will provide free training to successful applicants to the program to ensure that they have the necessary safety and awareness skills to provide effective transportation service to passengers with disabilities.