GOGET LAUNCHES CARSHARE VEHICLE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY IN WORLD FIRST

GoGet carshare is planning to revolutionise transport for people with disability with the launch of the world’s first fully accessible carsharing vehicle with the support of leading disability non-government organisation, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA).

Australia’s first and largest carshare provider launched the vehicle at the Royal North Shore Hospital today with NSW Minister for Disability Services John Ajaka, representatives from the Hospital and the SCIA.

The vehicle, an eight-seater,  Kia Carnival, is equipped with a single wheelchair rear entry with hydraulic floor and was converted by Right Priced Conversions, a specialist in accessible vehicles.  The vehicle can accommodate a wide range of wheelchairs.  According to SCIA, the vehicle is poised to revolutionise the provision of transport for people with disability.

“Creating a truly inclusive and accessible community requires changing how we think about providing services, including transport. GoGet and SCIA should be commended for being at the forefront of that change,” said Mr Ajaka.

“This innovative approach will help people with disability get to where they want to go, and most importantly allow them live life their way.”

“These vehicles can be extremely expensive to own and operate, but by sharing them among many people who need them, they become affordable and convenient.  This is about giving new freedom to people who need it,” said Tristan Sender, CEO of GoGet carshare.

The new accessible vehicle represents a pilot for GoGet, and should it prove successful more accessible vehicles will be rolled out across NSW and eventually nationally.

SCIA works to ensure people with disability can lead independent lives, and is thrilled about this new development from GoGet.

“We are very excited by the launch of this new vehicle and wholeheartedly support the initiative. Difficulty in accessing appropriate transportation can be a real barrier to independence and can be very isolating. This vehicle will help to open up people’s worlds and allow them to do things others take for granted – such as a day trip with their family. We hope that this will be the first of many so that even more people can benefit moving forward,” said Peter Perry, CEO of SCIA.

“We are really proud that Royal North Shore Hospital is to be the first to adopt this important service which will increase transport options for disabled people,” says Vicki Taylor, Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District.

“Access to transport can be a challenge for some disabled people seeking healthcare and having a GoGet carshare service on site will improve their access to the Hospital.

“We congratulate GoGet on this great innovation to increase transport options for our disabled community.”

GoGet carshare, which has 80,000 members in Australia and is active in transport research and development, is the first mainstream carshare provider in the world to support an accessible carshare vehicle.

For more information about GoGet, go to https://www.goget.com.au/.