Garth only needs one leg to drive but it's the leg he lost that drives him to help others

Garth Johnston, whose leg was amputated after an industrial accident, is about to start work transporting people who can't drive themselves. (ABC Northern Tasmania: Rick Eaves)

A new disability transport vehicle for the north-west coast also represents a new start for the man who will drive it.

As Garth Johnston pulls the seatbelt across, he explains that in an automatic vehicle, he only needs one leg — his right leg — to drive.

As he tells his story, it's clear that the left leg, which was amputated, is the one that drives him.

"I had my leg amputated just over three years ago, from an accident I had six years ago," Mr Johnston said.

 PIPO recruitment manager Carolyn Breadmore with Garth Johnston and the new purpose-built disability transport van with a chair-lift. (ABC Northern Tasmania: Rick Eaves)

"I had my feet crushed in a workplace accident back in 2015. I had a 180kg pallet come down across my feet.

"Eventually I had to have the left leg amputated below the knee.

"As a fit, strong man trying to get about in a wheelchair, I could see how there was a gap there for people trying to get a lift, especially those in powered wheelchairs.

Just this week, Garth started work with Ulverstone company Partners in Professional Outsourcing (PIPO) running a service called Transport Ability.

New disability transport driver Garth Johnston says he wants to pay it forward, knowing — as an amputee — what it's like to depend on such services. (ABC Northern Tasmania: Rick Eaves)

The company sourced the purpose-built  wheelchair-lift van from interstate.

The recruitment manager for PIPO Support Services, Carolyn Breadmore, said the service would operate with an NDIS contract and mostly work through NDIS providers.

"We've identified a number of gaps in the services available here," she said.

"There aren't enough providers and there aren't enough vehicles like ours."

Among Mr Johnston's prosthetic leg "tattooes" are stickers of a skeleton, a penguin in honour of his hometown, Penguin, and a plug for Limbs 4 Life. (ABC Northern Tasmania: Rick Eaves)

"This van will open up doors for a number of people who need to get to medical appointments, even just running errands, but also to travel statewide.

"It's principally for clients linked through NDIS providers, but anyone else who does have a need, we're open to have a chat.

Apart from a short period delivering groceries, Mr Johnston has not had the opportunity to re-activate his working life. Now he's champing at the bit!

The Reibey St hub of Ulverstone, a seaside town on the north-western coast of Tasmania. (ABC Northern Tasmania: Rick Eaves)

"I'm actually quite mobile again, with the prosthetic leg and lots of gym time behind me," he said.

"There are some services here but some rely on volunteer drivers who can't always be on hand or go as far as you need to, when you need to.

"I like to say my leg is just a flesh-wound compared to some of the people I've met.

Ulverstone company PIPO is starting a disability transport service called Transport Ability. (ABC Northern Tasmania: Rick Eaves)