Fines for taxi providers who refuse to accept fares from passengers using the Taxi Transport (TTSS) Subsidy Scheme have been welcomed by Vision Australia.
The NSW Government this week announced providers that refuse TTSS passengers face fines of up to $3000, which Vision Australia hopes will help put an end to such refusals.
"People who are blind or have low vision often rely on point-to-point transport such as taxis to be active and independent members of the community and the TTSS is designed to alleviate the financial burden that comes from that," Bruce Maguire, Vision Australia Lead Policy Advisor, said.
"It has become more and more common for taxi providers to refuse to accept the TTSS as part-payment of fares when there is really no reason to do so. Drivers still receive the full fare if a passenger uses the TTSS and a refusal to accept such a fare only hurts the passenger who may have no other way of travelling," Bruce said.
The TTSS provides eligible people with a subsidy of 50% of a taxi fare, up to a maximum subsidy of $60. The subsidy is paid to the taxi provider at the end of the trip, with the passenger paying the rest of the fare.
"Stronger regulation around the TTSS is very much welcome. However, we are interested to know how the fines will work in practice," Bruce said.
"We know from the experience of people who travel with Seeing Eye Dogs or other dog guides who are often illegally refused from travelling in taxis that seeking enforcement against driver and providers can be an onerous process that often leads nowhere.
"Fines are only effective if they can be enforced and we hope the Government will also improve that process."
As well as increasing compliance around TTSS fares for taxis, Vision Australia is also continuing to call for the NSW Government to expand the scheme to rideshare options.
"There is no reason the TTSS shouldn't include rideshare options. Victoria's Multi-Purpose Taxi Program has allowed this for nearly five years and has shown to benefit passengers who are blind or have low vision or live with other disabilities by giving them more choice and control around their transport options.
"Research from Vision Australia and rideshare providers has shown people in NSW want the TTSS to expand and we would hope the Government will listen to the community."
