NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme
An Easy Read guide about how you can travel by taxi for less money if you have disability.
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In this guide, we explain the NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme.
We call it the scheme.
About the scheme
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The scheme supports a subsidy for some people with disability who use taxi services in NSW.
A subsidy is when the government gives money to help pay for something, so it costs less for people.
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Transport for NSW manages the scheme.
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The scheme will pay:
- half of your taxi ride
- a maximum of $60 for each trip.
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You only have to pay the rest of the cost.
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For example, if your taxi ride costs $80:
- the scheme will pay $40
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- you will pay $40.
Who can use the scheme
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To take part in the scheme, people must be a:
- citizen – someone who has the rights and freedoms of the country where they live
or
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- permanent resident – if you are a permanent resident of a country, you are allowed to live there but you are not a citizen.
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The scheme is only for people who:
- live in NSW
- are old enough to go to school.
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The scheme is only for people with a disability that:
- will last your whole life
- affects how you move around.
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Your disability must stop you from:
- driving
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- using public transport without support.
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For example, you might have a disability that means you:
- use a wheelchair or mobility aid to move around
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- are blind or have low vision
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- can’t speak or hear.
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Or you might have a disability that affects how well you:
- think
- communicate
- understand
- focus on what you’re doing.
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Or you might have epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a health condition that affects how your brain works. It can cause people to:
- suddenly lose control of their body
- pass out.
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But you must have an episode of epilepsy at least 12 times a year.
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We will check on you every 2 years to see if you still need the scheme because of your epilepsy.
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You can learn more about who can use the scheme on the Transport for NSW website.
How to apply
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We have rules that people must follow when they use the scheme.
You must agree to these rules before you apply for the scheme.
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You must fill out a form to apply for the scheme.
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You can also call Transport for NSW to mail you a form.
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When you fill out your form you must include:
- your personal details – like your name and contact information
- a passport sized photo of yourself.
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You must also share your form with your doctor.
Your doctor will include information about your disability.
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When you have filled out your form, you can submit it online.
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Or you can mail it to Transport for NSW.
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme
PO Box K659
Haymarket NSW 1240
How to use the scheme
Using the card
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You will get a card that shows you are part of the scheme.
You can use the card when you pay for a taxi.
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You need to scan your card on the taxi meter at the end of your trip.
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This will help your driver to check how much money you still need to pay.
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If you use a wheelchair, your card will have a special code on it.
This will make sure you can use taxis that can take wheelchairs.
Using travel vouchers
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You will also get travel vouchers to use in case:
- you lose your card
- the taxi cannot scan your card.
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You will get:
- 50 travel vouchers to use in NSW
- 20 travel vouchers to use in other states or territories.
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If you use a wheelchair, your travel vouchers will have a special code on them.
This will make sure you can use taxis that can take wheelchairs.
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If you need to order more travel vouchers, you can fill out an online form.
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Or you can fill out the green order form in your travel voucher book and send it to Transport for NSW.
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme
PO Box K659
Haymarket NSW 1240
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If you are blind or have low vision, you can call Transport for NSW to order new travel vouchers.
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Travel vouchers for other states and territories take up to 3 weeks to arrive.
How to change your personal information
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You must tell Transport for NSW if you change your:
- name
- address.
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You must include information about your:
- old and new name
- old and new address
- date of birth
- scheme account number
- contact number.
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If you change your name, you must provide documents from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
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You can send Transport for NSW this information online or by mail.
We share this information below.
Contact Transport for NSW
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You can call Transport for NSW.
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You can send a letter to Transport for NSW.
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme
PO Box K659
Haymarket NSW 1240
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You can call the National Relay Service if you:
- are deaf or hard of hearing
- find it hard to speak using the phone.
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You can ask them to connect you to Transport for NSW’s number.
Make a complaint
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When you make a complaint, you tell someone that something:
- has gone wrong
- isn’t working well.
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You can fill out an online form to make a complaint about:
- how Transport for NSW runs the scheme
- travel vouchers.
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You can make a complaint about a taxi service by calling the taxi hotline.