Queensland cabbies to get subsidy for wheelchair passengers

[p858snake]

Queensland cabbies to get subsidy for wheelchair passengers

QUEENSLAND cabbies will be given a cash incentive to pick up wheelchair-bound passengers from July 1.

The $6.50 a ride subsidy brings Queensland in line with other states but will have no effect on cab fares.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the $1.5 million cost would be covered by funds freed up as a result of a Federal Court ruling finding that taxi subsidy schemes are not subject to GST.

``For many people with a disability, taxis are the only viable form of transport and it's vital that we do everything we can to offer a safe, realistic way to travel from A to B,'' said Ms Palaszczuk.

Taxi Council of Queensland CEO Benjamin Wash described the minister's announcement as ``brilliant news'', following a long campaign by the taxi industry.

``In many cases (cabbies) can be foregoing other fares to go and pick someone up in a wheelchair which takes more time,'' Mr Wash said.

``I'm very keen to see that this administered so the entire subsidy goes to the driver because it's the driver who delivers the service.''

General Manager of Yellow Cabs, Bill Parker, said they estimated the additional cost to cab drivers of picking up wheelchair-bound passengers was $14.

``This is a good start. There's some very professional cab drivers who provide an excellent service to the disabled community or people confined to a chair,'' Mr Parker said.

``I think the government rewarding them for their efforts is a good thing.''

The Transport and Main Roads' annual report for 2010-11 showed response times for wheelchair passengers was generally slower than that for regular fares, with 82 per cent arriving within 18 minutes compared with 95 per cent.

Mr Parker conceded there were some ``recalcitrant operators'' who were reluctant to respond to wheelchair jobs because of the extra effort and time involved.

``These drivers are in the minority but hopefully this subsidy might help reverse that,'' he said.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-cabbies-to-get-subsidy-for-wheelchair-passengers/story-e6freoof-1226267786055

[Fares_Fair]

A good move. Well done