Regional taxi operators are "devastated" after a parliamentary inquiry into the WA Government's handling of its buy back and regional assistance schemes was rejected by the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs.
In August, a petition with more than 800 signatures was tabled in the Legislative Council by South West MLC Adele Farina calling for an inquiry.
A relief package offered to regional operators after the state government deregulated the industry fell short of what was offered to their metro counterparts.
Regional operators have stated they are on the brink of collapse and have been calling for a fair and equitable outcome.
WA Country Taxi Operators Association secretary and owner of Mandurah Taxis Julie Murray said while she understood it was a complex issue, she felt that the transport minister and Department of Transport wished they would close their businesses down and go away.
"But the fact is many people, especially elderly and disabled still rely on local taxi services especially in regional WA," she said.
South West MLC Colin Holt, deputy chair on the committee, said he could not comment on the reasons why the EPA Committee would not be holding an inquiry into the petition.
"That information is subject to parliamentary privilege and can only be answered by the committee itself," he said.
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"The Taxi Buy Back Scheme was introduced by this Government as a means to financially assist taxi plate owners impacted by the Uberisation of the industry.
"The Government decided that only metropolitan taxi plate owners qualify for this level of financial assistance.
"In my opinion the deregulation of the taxi Industry has affected Country Taxi Owners just as mush as their city counterparts and they should be eligible for the scheme.
"After all, the scheme is funded by a 10 per cent levy on passengers and is not coming directly from the Government Coffers."
South West MLC Adele Farina said the decision by the committee was another blow for taxi operators.
"The whole process has been less than satisfactory," she said.
"Country taxi operators appealed to the Legislative Council of the Parliament for an inquiry to have their grievance heard and considered, not only has this request been denied, the Committee has provided no comment on the matters raised in the petition and submissions.
"An inquiry, if it had been held, would have provided an opportunity to examine these matters, correct the record, potentially delivered a more equitable outcome for country taxi operators and brought the matter to a conclusion."
