Home National Advocacy for National Inclusion of Rideshare Services in Taxi Subsidy Programs

Advocacy for National Inclusion of Rideshare Services in Taxi Subsidy Programs

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Individuals with blindness or low vision are advocating for the inclusion of rideshare services like Uber in national taxi subsidy programs, which currently benefit only traditional taxi services. State governments provide financial support through special cards or vouchers that reduce trip costs for eligible persons. As it stands, only Victoria has allowed rideshare services to be part of this arrangement since 2021, permitting members to link their rideshare accounts.

Caitlin McMorrow, a blind resident of Redland City, described the challenges she faces when taxis frequently fail to arrive, forcing her to forfeit medical appointments and social events. She expressed frustration with the unreliability of taxi services in Brisbane. In contrast, she highlighted the advantages of rideshare, such as real-time vehicle tracking and quick access, noting that an Uber can typically be booked within minutes, whereas taxi waits can stretch to 45 minutes without success.

Vision Australia points out that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) transport funding is often inconsistently applied, leaving many clients without financial aid and restricting annual funds to $3,500, unlike unrestricted taxi subsidy schemes. Bruce Maguire, Vision Australia’s policy advisor, stated that rideshare services offer a less stressful experience for blind users compared to taxis, where issues like fare transparency pose significant concerns.

A recent Vision Australia survey found that 59% of respondents felt more likely to utilise taxpayer-funded transport if it included rideshare options. Chris Edwards, the organisation’s general manager for corporate affairs and advocacy, emphasised the urgent need for transport policy reform. He argued that accessible transport is a fundamental requirement rather than a luxury for those with vision impairments.

Maguire acknowledged that while rideshare services are not perfect, extending subsidies to these options would greatly enhance choices for the vision-impaired community. McMorrow argued that rideshare brings them closer to equivalent transport access enjoyed by sighted individuals, noting that making such enhancements would significantly improve quality of life.

In response to these concerns, Uber stated that it champions a provider-neutral approach to taxi subsidy programs and believes flexible transport options are crucial for individuals with disabilities. Since 2021, members of the Victorian Multi-Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) have been able to enjoy subsidised rides through Uber. The company is currently piloting a Transport Subsidy Trial in collaboration with Vision Australia, aiming to provide subsidies equivalent to those offered by government programs for rides on their platform. Uber hopes this trial will pave the way for broader access to rideshare services for individuals with disabilities across the country.

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