Response to the 2004 Taxi Subsidy Scheme Review

Services > Systemic Advocacy > 2004 - TTSS Review

On 9 July 2004 the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW, the NSW Council of Social Services, the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW and Western Sydney Community Forum held a meeting of community members about issues affecting taxi users in Western Sydney.

Issues were raised relating to the availability and service standards of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis and a summary was forwarded to the Ministry of Transport (MoT) review.

Issues raised by participants relating to the Taxi Transport Subsidy (TTS) include:

• Eligibility
• Information and Assessment for the Scheme
• Subsidy Level
• Subsidy Limit
• M4 / M5 toll fares
• Use of Taxi Transport for Grocery and Other Deliveries.
• New Technologies and expansion of TTSS

Recommendations

Participants at the meeting made the following list of recommendations and forwarded them to the Minister for Transport:

1. That eligibility for TTSS be expanded to include people recovering from an acute illness and people with episodic illnesses.
2. That the MoT promote TTSS to area health services, general practitioners, taxi drivers and local community organisations and simplify procedures for people to apply to the Scheme.
3. That frequent users receive a 75% subsidy through the scheme.
4. That the MoT determine a subsidy commensurate with distances realistically travelled by TTSS participants.
5. That the Roads and Traffic Authority, in consultation with community stakeholders and MoT, make the M4 / M5 Cashback available to TTSS users.
6. That TTSS users be permitted to use a single voucher for multiple parcel deliveries / pick-ups within a single trip.
7. That any administrative savings generated by the use of the smart card for TTSS be directed towards increasing the funding level for transport through the Scheme.

For further information please contact George Ayoub at MDAA on 98916400 or email george.ayoub@mdaa.org.au