CityRail and Bus Services Wheelchair Access and Taxi Subsidy
Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes: I address my question to the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice-President of the Executive Council, representing the Minister for Transport: Is he aware that only 36 per cent of CityRail stations are wheelchair accessible and only 30 per cent of bus services in the Sydney metropolitan and outer metropolitan areas are listed as wheelchair accessible? Is he aware that the taxi transport subsidy for people with disabilities has remained at 50 per cent of a taxi fare rate and has a cap of $30 for each trip, even though taxi fares in the State have increased by 55 per cent over the past 10 years? Given that Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, can he indicate if funding arrangements will be established to ensure that more CityRail stations and Sydney bus services in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas are wheelchair accessible and ensure that the New South Wales Government will implement the advice recommended in 2002 by the Standing Committee on Social Issues to increase the taxi fare subsidy rates to 75 per cent, as enacted by the South Australian and Western Australian governments?
The Hon. John Della Bosca: I thank Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes for his question. First, I indicate to him that I am aware of the approximate numbers of wheelchair accessible stations and buses within the respective networks. I am also aware that considerable work has been undertaken in the Department of Transport and the respective bus and rail agencies around the issue of securing more disability access and planning around those issues. Indeed, at one stage in my previous capacity as the Minister for Disability Services, I was part of that process and I am able to say that much progress has been made. Given our reliance on the heavy rail network, which is expensive to upgrade, New South Wales is doing very well in this particular area, although obviously the benefits for disabled people are enormous when upgrades occur.
The other part of the member’s question was really around the taxi transport subsidy issue. I do not have any information that I can offer him relating to that. I will undertake to obtain further information from my colleague the Minister for Transport and provide that at the earliest opportunity.
Deferred answer
On 4 March 2009 Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice-President of the Executive Council, representing the Minister for Transport, a question without notice regarding CityRail and bus services wheelchair access. The Minister for Transport provided the following response:
I am advised:
The Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme was introduced in 1981 to assist persons who are unable to use conventional public transport because of a qualifying severe and permanent disability. Under Scheme guidelines participants are able to travel by taxi at a 50% subsidy, up to a maximum allowance of $30 per trip.
The NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme is the most generous of all the States and Territories. It currently has no cap on the number of journeys or the total subsidy amount available to an individual participant.
Since 1999, taxi fares have increased just under 45% in urban areas and under 43% in country areas.
In 2007/08 financial year, the average trip subsidy was just over $11, which is well below the current maximum subsidy cap of $30. The NSW Government is of the view that the current subsidy remains consistent with the needs of the majority of participants and it is not intended to review the subsidy level at this time.