Welcome boost to transport access for people with disability

New initiatives released today by the NSW Government to increase the support available to people with disability accessing taxis is an important step towards achieving a more inclusive community according to the NSW Council for Social Service (NCOSS).

The announcement will see the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme cap rise from $30 to $60 and it will make Wheelchair Accessible Taxi licenses free for drivers in Sydney, increase driver incentive payments from $7.70 to $15 per trip and increase to the interest free loan scheme available to them by $5 million. 

NCOSS CEO Tracy Howe said access to point to point transport by people with disability was often crucial to ensuring they could live independently.

“NCOSS has long advocated for improvements to the TTSS. Transport is a key enabler for people with disability to get to work, get to medical appointments and do everyday things like shopping and seeing friends.

“Public transport is often not an option for people with disability and without initiatives that make transport such as taxis more affordable and accessible these everyday trips become much harder, less frequent or impossible.

“Today’s announcement gives a much needed boost to the support available to access point-to-point transport and is a great step towards providing a more inclusive community.”