Changes to Taxi Users' Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) outlined

7/7/97

Transport Minister Eric Charlton has outlined the changes to the Taxi Users' Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) which now give people with temporary disabilities access to the cheaper fares.

TUSS provides transport assistance, via a taxi subsidy, for people who have a severe disability that prevents them using a conventional public transport bus service.

"People who were previously ineligible, such as those with temporary conditions or legal blindness, may now be able to access the scheme," Mr Charlton said.

"Regular wheelchair and scooter users will receive an increased subsidy when their wheelchair or scooter is carried in the taxi.

"We have also introduced a temporary membership category and its members will be reviewed after six months. All other members will now be reviewed every three years."

Current TUSS members will need to re-apply for the subsidy using the new application form. Letters will be sent to these members progressively over the next 12-month period.

Changes, which came into effect on July 1, include:

Membership Cards - Expiry Dates

As from July 1, 1997, there are two types of TUSS membership:

+ temporary membership which is reviewed every six months; and -

+ standard membership which is reviewed every three years.

All TUSS members are now issued with a new membership card containing an expiry date which will need to be recorded by the driver on the TUSS voucher. Taxi drivers will not accept vouchers if a membership card has expired, or is not shown.

TUSS members will be advised of the need to re-apply for the scheme, when their term of membership is due to expire.

75 Per Cent Subsidy For Wheelchair users (Green vouchers) People who need to use a wheelchair or scooter regularly, may be entitled to a 75 per cent subsidy (up to a maximum of $25 per trip) to offset the extra costs of loading and unloading. People who use a wheelchair regularly and consider they may be eligible for the new 75 per cent subsidy will be given priority in the re-assessment process.

Those eligible for the subsidy will be issued with green subsidy vouchers suitable for use after July 1, 1997. This will entitle them to a 75 per cent subsidy only when the wheelchair or scooter is also carried by the taxi. If a person chooses to travel without their wheelchair or scooter, they will only be entitled to a 50 per cent subsidy for that trip.

Taxi drivers have been informed not to pay a 75 per cent subsidy unless the member has a green subsidy voucher and the member is taking his/her wheelchair with him/her.

Please do not try to claim the increased subsidy with the current white vouchers. The white vouchers will still entitle you to a 50 per cent subsidy until the new green vouchers are issued.

50 Per Cent Subsidy For Other Members (Yellow Vouchers) All other members will be issued with a set of yellow subsidy vouchers. People issued with yellow subsidy vouchers are only eligible for the 50 per cent subsidy - even if they carry a wheelchair. Use Of Old White Voucher Books

The new green and yellow subsidy vouchers will gradually come into circulation from July 1, 1997. Members who do not have their new membership cards, or green or yellow vouchers, will still be entitled to use the white subsidy vouchers and their old membership cards until further advised by Transport.

Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9321 7333