Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Taxi Subsidy Scheme

The ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) supports ACT residents unable to use public transport due to a permanent disability by subsidising the cost of taxi rides.

There are three tiers of membership depending on an applicant's wheelchair usage:

• A 50 percent membership is available to non-wheelchair users and will subsidise 50 percent of fares up to $48.
• A 50 percent plus lift fee membership is available to applicants who use a wheelchair but can transfer into a regular taxi. It has the same subsidy and cap but will also pay the $13 lift fee required to transfer into a normal taxi.
• A 75 percent membership is available for permanent wheelchair users who require accessible transport for all taxi rides. It will subsidise 75 percent of fares up to $74 plus the $13 lift fee for loading the wheelchair.

The subsidy can be accessed using a smartcard, which works like a credit card and can be given to the driver to pay the subsidised portion of your trip. Let your driver know at the start of your journey you intend to use your TSS smartcard to pay part of your fare.

To be eligible, you will need:

• To be a permanent resident of ACT
• Not be a part of another state or territory's taxi subsidy scheme, and
• Be legally blind or have a severe visual impairment (available based on individual need and scheme criteria as assessed and recommended by your eye care professional).

To apply for the scheme, download and complete the application form here. If you are travelling interstate, you will need to apply for interstate travel vouchers two weeks prior to your departure by contacting the ACT Revenue Office.

For more information, check out the TSS policy paper here or contact the ACT Revenue Office:

• (02) 6207 0028 - Select Option 5
• concessions@act.gov.au