THE first grant to encourage taxi operators to purchase modern wheelchair accessible taxis was given to the Daylesford Taxi Service last week.

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky visited Daylesford last week to announce the grant.

She said Daylesford Taxi Service operator Andrew Maher received the grant following a review last year into country taxi services.

"It is fantastic to see the Daylesford community continue to enjoy the benefit of having a taxi fleet that includes a vehicle which can carry wheelchair passengers," she said.

"Daylesford has enjoyed the benefits of this service for some time, but without government support some country taxi operators may struggle to be able to meet the financial burden of replacing the vehicle when it reaches the

end of its operational life."

Mr Maher said locals, tourists and hospital patients would benefit from the upgrade.

"I am very pleased to have the grant," he said.

"It's easier for the driver to get the patient out."

Robert Carman from Daylesford was looking forward to using the new taxi.

"There is heaps of room and it's safe. It's opened up my options to get out and about," he said.

Operators in Port Fairy, Euroa, Horsham and Morwell have also had their applications approved for grants.

Mr Maher and the government would not disclose the value of the grant.