Smart Card for Taxi Subsidy Scheme

Queensland’s $12 million Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) for people with disabilities is about to get a lot smarter, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, said today.

Mr Lucas said the scheme’s 56,000 mobility-impaired members would soon be issued Smart Cards to replace the current manual voucher system.

“The Smart Cards will be much easier to use and much more secure than vouchers,” Mr Lucas said.

“Queensland Transport has identified Cabcharge Australia Ltd as the preferred supplier and will now enter contract negotiations for the new smart cards.

“The State Government is providing $2 million to modernise the subsidy scheme. Members can expect to receive the new Smart Cards in the first half of 2007.

“The cards have photo identity and contain computer chips that interface with taxi meters to record the correct fare for each journey,” he said.

Mr Lucas said the TSS provided a subsidy of 50% for taxi fares (to a limit of $25 each trip) for people who met a Queensland Health eligibility test. There was no limit to the number of trips a member could take, and they could also access subsidised taxi travel in other states.

The State Government provides around $12 million each year in subsidies.

Under the current voucher system, which was introduced in 1987, members are issued vouchers that they give to drivers, and the drivers have to fill in the trip details.

Mr Lucas said a small minority of taxi drivers and passengers were claiming subsidies for journeys not taken, claiming the full fare instead of half-fare, or using vouchers they were not entitled to use.

Earlier this month two men faced court over multiple counts of fraud involving more than $60,000 of taxi subsidies. And last December a taxi driver was successfully prosecuted on 27 counts of fraud. He was fined $13,500 and a conviction was recorded.

“This is an essential service that helps around 58,000 disadvantaged people in our community get around, and we won’t tolerate people trying to rip it off,” Mr Lucas said.

“The smart card system will eliminate that avenue for fraud while also making the system easier for both the member and the taxi driver.

“When membership expires, or a Smart Card is lost or stolen, Queensland Transport will automatically de-activate the card.

“The integration between the taxi meter, GPS and card reader means the system will automatically record the exact fare from the meter and deduct the rebate amount. An alternative system will be available for non-metered taxis in regional areas.

“It will also mean significant administration savings for taxi companies and Queensland Transport because it eliminates a lot of paper work,” Mr Lucas said.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 3237 1942