While wheelchairs and mobility scooters are a great way to get around, sometimes you’ll need to transport your mobility equipment in a car. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are a great option, but don’t despair if you don’t have one. In Australia, taxi subsidies are provided to wheelchair users and mobility scooter users.
Read on to find out everything you need to know.
Transporting Mobility Equipment in Taxis
Firstly, it’s important to take note of the type of mobility equipment you can transport in a taxi. Most taxis can usually carry manual and portable wheelchairs as well as portable mobility scooters. That is, as long as they are folded and can safely fit in the boot or back seat of the vehicle.
Electric wheelchairs can only be carried in a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi if they are fitted with four anchor points. This allows it to be safely used with the taxi’s four-point tie down system. The same applies to full-sized scooters, but passengers are not legally permitted to sit on the scooter while the taxi is in motion. Instead, they must instead sit in a car seat with their seat belt buckled.
In many areas, taxi drivers are allowed to charge while assisting passengers with wheelchairs or mobility scooters and securing their equipment in/to the car. This fee takes into account the extra time and effort it takes to provide this service.
Taxi Subsidies
To help cover the cost of getting around, people with disability are entitled to taxi subsidies. Taxi regulations and subsidy schemes vary in each Australian state and territory, so click the links below to find out what is provided in your state.
Subsidy Schemes
Western Australia – https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/taxis/ODT_F_App_TUSS.pdf
Northern Territory – https://nt.gov.au/driving/public-transport-cycling/help-getting-around/transport-subsidy-schemes
South Australia – https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/disability/taxi-fare-subsidy-scheme
Queensland – https://www.qld.gov.au/disability/out-and-about/subsidies-concessions-passes/taxi-subsidy
New South Wales – https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/programs/point-to-point-transport/transport-disability-incentives-and-subsidies
Also available is a Regional Seniors Travel Card – https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-regional-seniors-travel-card
ACT – https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/1491/~/act-taxi-subsidy-scheme
Victoria – http://web2.economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au/taxi/passengers/mptp
Tasmania – https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/passenger/operators/national_disability_insurance_scheme
Insurance
Taxi subsidies for wheelchair users and mobility scooter users are one thing. For total peace of mind, it’s a great idea to insure your wheelchair or mobility scooter before you travel.
You can rest easy knowing you are covered for situations such as:
- accidental loss and damage,
- personal items that get lost, stolen or damaged while using the mobility equipment, and
- costs incurred to get your scooter or wheelchair home following an accident.
Click to find out about our comprehensive wheelchair and mobility scooter insurance policies.
