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31 ParaQuad News • The NDIS Edition 2016
NSW Taxi
Transport Subsidy Increase
welcomed
Who is eligible?
Each application is reviewed by
Transport NSW’s independent
medical assessor. It is important that
your medical practitioner or treating
specialist provides enough detail
and supporting documents to
allow the severity of your disability
or medical condition to be assessed.
To be eligible for the scheme an
applicant must have a severe and
permanent disability in one of the
following categories:
• Permanent inability to walk
• Total and permanent dependence
on a wheelchair
• Severe mobility problems which
require the permanent use of
complex walking aids or constant
assistance of another person
• Total loss of vision or severely
impaired sight
• Severe and uncontrollable
epilepsy
• Severe intellectual disability
causing socially unacceptable
behaviour or requiring constant
assistance on public transport
For further information about the
scheme or to find out how to apply
visit
The new TTSS vouchers will be
in pink and are to be sent out
to frequent users of the scheme
over the next few weeks followed
shortly after by less frequent
users. The old vouchers will still
be valid for use until November
30, 2016.
The government will also reduce
the Wheelchair Accessible
Taxi licence fee to zero in
metropolitan areas and expand
its interest free loan scheme for
accessible vehicles.
These changes
are a great support
boost for people with
a disability especially
when the cost of taxis
makes everyday trips
prohibitive and
public transport is
not an option
If you have any questions
about how the TTSS $60
maximum subsidy will work,
please call the TTSS information
helpline on 1800 200 592 or
email .
Introduced in 1981
The Taxi Transport
Subsidy Scheme (TTSS)
was created to provide
more reliable options
of transportation for
people with a disability
This scheme provides up to
50% off taxi fares currently up
to a maximum of $60 ($30 in
total subsidised by the NSW
Government per trip).
With more than 440,000
wheelchair accessible taxi
journeys undertaken each year,
the scheme allows for far greater
mobility and community access
for people with a disability.
From 1 July 2016, The Taxi
Transport Subsidy Scheme Cap
has doubled from $30 per trip to
$60, with wheelchair accessible
taxi driver incentive payments
also increasing from $7.70 to $15.
This change was announced in
December 2015 as part of an
overhaul which also legalised
ridesharing services including
Uber in NSW.