Taxi reforms for people with disabilities shift into first gear

19/11/2008

The government’s reform to taxi services for people with disabilities should bring more reliable and affordable services to some, according to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

“The Commission has long-identified waiting time and reliability as the most frustrating problem for people with disabilities,” said Dr Helen Szoke, Commission chief executive officer. “This was one of the major findings of our 2007 ‘Time to respond’ report."

“The introduction of 330 new licences, minimum quotas for pick-ups of people with disabilities and stronger enforcement of standards on waiting times should result in improvements,” she said.

There are 375 wheelchair accessible taxis on the road, 234 in metropolitan areas. Currently, 40 per cent of wheelchair accessible taxis undertake 80 per cent of pick ups.

New subsidy arrangements, which reward drivers for service delivery, will be trialled in Geelong and Frankston along with a requirement to case manage wheelchair taxi bookings.

Currently around 10,500 people qualify for subsidised taxi travel, which is means tested and only available to people with permanent and severe disabilities who cannot use public transport. Eligible people will now receive a maximum $60 subsidy per trip with their annual subsidy payout will be capped at $2,180.

Unfortunately, the 6.1 per cent increase in fares will reduce the affordability outcomes of the announced increases in subsidies.

“The Commission would like to see the subsidy extended to all people with disabilities. Taxis are a critical form of public transport for people with all forms of disabilities, not only those using a wheelchair,” said Dr Szoke.

“The need to ensure accessibility of taxi services is critical as Melbourne’s bus, tram and train networks will not be completely accessible for another twenty-four years," she said.

“The Commission welcomes these changes as a first step to giving people with disabilities their rightful access to services, work and community life. We will work closely with the government and consumer groups to monitor the effectiveness of the changes and further improve access and affordability of taxi services,” she said.

Dr Helen Szoke, is available for comment and interview

Comment on the impact of the announcements from the perspective of a person with a disability can be arranged through the Commission.

Media contact Janeen Lynch 0419 33 77 34