The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) has declared that reforms made to point-to-point passenger services for access taxis will reduce waiting times for customers and improve their services.
DIT said the changes would be implemented later this year as part of the 12-month trial and was aimed at reducing the time people with a disability needed to wait for an access taxi.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Corey Wingard said the changes were needed to improve critical accessible services for people with a disability and would include better incentives and a stronger regulatory framework.
Mr Wingard said the measures included replacing the existing lifting fee of $10 and driver on-time bonus ($5) with an increased single lifting fee of $25.
He said that as part of the trial, the change would apply to access taxi trips where the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme (SATSS) was used and the lifting fee currently applied.
The Minister said that under the changes DIT would also be able to ensure drivers and operators were meeting the new conditions and would be able to issue fines and other penalties to those who did not comply.
He said an update of current access taxi licence holder, operator and driver conditions would also help ensure drivers gave priority to people with a disability who needed an access taxi.
“There are approximately 130,000 declined trips every year and more than 5,100 late pick-ups per year causing unnecessary stress and inconvenience for those who rely on these services and it’s simply not good enough,” Mr Wingard said.
Minister for Human Services, Michelle Lensink said people living with a disability deserved to have reliable and equitable services available to them.
“We will continue to listen to feedback and concerns from people living with disability to ensure they get the transport services they need, on time and when they need them,” Ms Lensink said.
