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About the TUSS reform

The new, digital Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) will replace TUSS by 1 March 2025. 

Based on feedback from previous consultation with TUSS participants and taxi industry stakeholders, the Department of Transport (DoT) is working to deliver a digital system that will no longer require paper vouchers to be used. DoT is developing:  

  • a new smartcard to replace the current participant card, which will be scanned by the taxi driver to start and end a trip; and  
  • a digital system for taxi drivers that will record all the trip details, saving time and improving fare accuracy.  

As part of the move to a modern, digital scheme, TUSS will be renamed the Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS). This new name reflects the current language used for WA’s passenger transport industry and will help differentiate the new system.

We are also working on simplifying the application process and improving our internal systems.

Watch 

Check out the About the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme reform video below for an overview of what is changing and when.

Easy Read information

We have made an Easy Read document to explain how we are changing TUSS. There are two versions of the document:

  • a PDF version with pictures to explain some ideas; and
  • a text-only Word version.

You can ask for help to read these documents. A friend, family member or support person might be able to help you.

Find the Easy Read documents below.

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Latest newsletter

Read previous TUSS reform newsletters

When will PTSS start?

PTSS will replace TUSS by 1 March 2025. From this date, drivers for all on-demand booking services (ODBS) providing rank or hail services should be prepared to accept PTSS. 

There will be a transition period between 1 March and 30 September 2025, where TUSS cards and vouchers must continue to be accepted by taxi drivers.

About the PTSS pilot

To help ensure PTSS works smoothly for ODBSs, drivers and passengers, DoT conducted a pilot to test the digital PTSS system, including:

  • the PTSS card;
  • the PTSS mobile app; and
  • driver activity reports in DoTDirect.

The pilot began in the Perth metropolitan area from 2–13 December 2024, involving a small number of volunteer taxi drivers from Black & White Cabs and TUSS participants.

During February 2025, the pilot expanded with more participants and drivers from Black & White Cabs, as well as participating drivers and ODBSs in Northam and Albany.

Pilot participants have helped DoT identify bugs and areas of improvement for the digital PTSS system. Overall, participants shared positive experiences of using the digital PTSS system, including:

  • shorter journey times with less paperwork required to be completed by the driver;
  • the card is less bulky and easier to carry than vouchers; and
  • no worry about running out of vouchers or ordering new books makes things easier.

As PTSS is rolled out across the state, taxi industry members and PTSS participants are encouraged to continue sharing their experiences and constructive feedback with DoT:

What does the PTSS care look like?

The new participant card will be a smartcard that is scanned by the driver to start and end the taxi trip. The card features:

  • the participant’s name and number;
  • the card number and expiry date;
  • a photo of the participant;
  • the letters “PTSS” in braille and a round notch cut out of the bottom right side, to assist people with vision impairment to locate the card; and
  • the subsidy type.

DoT will continue engaging with key disability organisations to ensure the PTSS card is accessible.

Example of the new PTSS card

See below for an example of the new PTSS card design. Note: this example is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect all card security features and available subsidy levels.

PTSS card example

What will happen on a PTSS journey?

The new PTSS system will provide a smoother journey experience for both passengers and drivers, streamlining the process for drivers and helping ensure accurate subsidy calculations and fare amounts for passengers.

The below steps outline the process of a PTSS journey.

  1. The PTSS participant books a trip or hails a taxi from the street or a rank.
  2. The taxi driver scans the PTSS card at the beginning of the trip.
  3. Taxi trip occurs.
  4. The PTSS card is scanned again by the taxi driver at the end of the trip.
  5. The taxi driver’s mobile phone app will calculate the amount of the fare to be paid by the PTSS participant. The app will audibly read out the fare amount and display it on screen.
  6. The PTSS participant will pay the remainder of the fare, after the subsidy is calculated.

There will also be functionality for the mobile phone app to record trip details if the internet connection drops, to ensure no journey data is lost.

Further information about how to use the PTSS mobile app can be found in the Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme mobile app user guide (below).

Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme guidelines

The Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme Guidelines for Industry and Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme Guidelines for Participants are now in force (below).

These documents outline the rules and responsibilities for on-demand rank or hail (taxi) drivers and ODBSs, as well as PTSS participants and applicants. 

These replace the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) Guidelines.

Penalties apply if these guidelines are not followed.

Regulations amended to support PTSS

From 2 December 2024, new regulations that support the digital PTSS system have been published (below). These changes in legislation are available to view in the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Amendment Regulations (No. 3) 2024  (below), outlining: 

  • the amended regulations that support PTSS;
  • offences related to PTSS; and
  • when the changes will apply.

The Transport (Road Passenger Services) Regulations 2020 will be updated as each stage commences. 

FAQs for participants

If you are an existing TUSS participant and have confirmed your contact details with DoT, watch for your new PTSS card in the mail in the next 7–10 days.

If you do not receive your PTSS card by mid-March, or need to confirm your contact details, please contact DoT:

TUSS cards and vouchers must continue to be accepted by taxi drivers until 30 September 2025.

Note: If your TUSS card is green, your new PTSS card will be purple. You will receive the same subsidy amounts you are used to – only the appearance of the card has changed.

From 1 March 2025, your taxi driver should be prepared to accept your PTSS card.

There will be a transition period between 1 March and 30 September 2025, where TUSS cards and vouchers must continue to be accepted by taxi drivers.

When you catch a taxi, you will need to present your PTSS card to your taxi driver. They will scan your card at the start and end of your journey.

When you use your PTSS card, you agree to:

  • follow the terms and conditions outlined in the PTSS Participant Guidelines (below); 
  • not sell, exchange, lend or give away your PTSS card;
  • be responsible for keeping your PTSS card safe and will not leave it with a taxi driver or other person; and
  • report your PTSS card to DoT if it is lost or stolen.

Note: incorrect use of your PTSS pilot card may lead to administrative or legal consequences.

No, TUSS participants will not need an app or smartphone when the new TUSS system starts from late 2024.

How will interstate travel work under the new TUSS system?

If you are a WA TUSS participant, you are entitled to access your normal subsidy when travelling in another state in Australia. Under the new TUSS system, you will still need to get a TUSS Interstate Voucher Book to access your subsidy in another state.

Visit Apply for TUSS for more information about interstate travel.

If you are a WA TUSS participant, you are entitled to access your normal subsidy when travelling in another state in Australia. Under the new TUSS system, you will still need to get a TUSS Interstate Voucher Book to access your subsidy in another state.

Visit Apply for TUSS for more information about interstate travel. 


In October 2023, we contacted all TUSS participants to request they confirm their contact details with DoT. If you haven’t returned your form yet, please complete it and send it to DoT. We cannot send your new participant card without your correct contact details.

Fill out the front and back of the form that was enclosed with your letter (form also available below). Return your completed form to DoT:

If you have any questions about how to confirm your details, please call 13 11 56 or email ondemandtransport@transport.wa.gov.au.

FAQs for ODBSs

All authorised ODBSs who provide on-demand rank or hail (taxi) services are required to register for the digital PTSS system via DoTDirect. 

Registering your ODBS for PTSS enables DoT to make payments to your ODBS on behalf of your drivers. It also means that you will be included in the list of registered ODBSs in the PTSS mobile app. 

Note: after registering, it may take up to 24 hours for your ODBS to show in the PTSS mobile app.

The PTSS mobile app will display your ODBS provider name. This may be different to your business name. You can find your ODBS provider name:

  • on your ODBS authorisation document;
  • in your DoTDirect account profile; or 
  • by searching your ODBS authorisation number or business name in the list of authorised on-demand booking service providers. 

If your drivers are using the PTSS mobile app, please ensure that they know your ODBS provider name.

Refer to the user guide below for instructions on how to register your ODBS for PTSS.

Visit PTSS responsibilities for ODBSs for more information.

PTSS journey details will be submitted to DoT via:

  • the PTSS mobile app; or
  • dispatch equipment that your ODBS has integrated with DoT systems, to automatically capture journey details.

DoT will validate all PTSS journeys and pay the subsidy and any co-payment amounts to the ODBS associated with the journey.

PTSS payments on behalf of drivers will be deposited in the bank account nominated by your ODBS. Your ODBS will be able to view reports in DoTDirect that outline:

  • the PTSS journeys included in the payment;
  • the value of the subsidy for each PTSS journey; and
  • the driver that completed that journey.

Refer to the user guide below for more details about how to view PTSS reports in DoTDirect.

ODBSs are responsible for paying the correct amounts to their drivers. ODBSs and drivers will need to consider any financial arrangements regarding passing on subsidy payments – these are private commercial arrangements that DoT is unable to be involved with.

Visit PTSS payments for ODBSs for more information.

All ODBSs registered for PTSS will need to provide DoT with the records of all journeys for which a PTSS-subsidised fare was provided, including:

  • date and time the booking was taken/facilitated;
  • date and time the journey started and ended;
  • location the journey started and ended;
  • driver’s passenger transport driver (PTD) authorisation number;
  • vehicle plate number;
  • booking reference number (allocated by the ODBS);
  • number of passengers carried who were seated in a wheelchair (if any);
  • total fare amount; and
  • the subsidy amount for the fare.

DoT will use these records to validate subsidy and co-payment claims and ensure compliance with the Regulations and PTSS Guidelines for Industry.

All ODBS registered for PTSS must keep the booking records of PTSS journeys and produce the records of bookings that took place in a calendar month within 7 days of that calendar month ending.

Visit PTSS journey data submissions for more information.

Yes. All journey data requests for PTSS have been amended to include the total fare of the PTSS journey. A full list of what will be required from 1 March 2025 can be found in the PTSS Guidelines for Industry.

Visit PTSS journey data submissions for more information.

Once your ODBS has registered for PTSS, you will receive monthly emails requesting that you submit booking records for PTSS journeys that occurred in the previous month. If your ODBS has completed no PTSS journeys in the specified time period, follow the below steps.

  1. Log into your ODBS’s DoTDirect account.
  2. Select the 'no journeys were conducted during this period' box on the Upload journey data screen.

FAQs for drivers

There will be two ways to use the digital PTSS system:

  • drivers install and use the DoT PTSS mobile app on their mobile device; or
  • ODBSs integrate their own digital systems (like dispatch software) with the PTSS application programming interface (API).

Both ways of accessing the digital PTSS system will collect journey details and send this information to DoT. ODBSs will decide which method they will use and communicate this information with their drivers.

To support drivers using the PTSS mobile app, DoT has created the Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme mobile app user guide (below).

If you’re an ODBS and interested in integrating your systems with the PTSS API, please email us at tussupdates@transport.wa.gov.au for more technical information.

The PTSS mobile app is available for Android and iOS devices.

  • The PTSS mobile app for Android is only available via the Google Play store.
  • The PTSS mobile app for iOS / Apple iPhone is available through the Apple App Store.

Search “PTSS” in your app store, or use the links below to download.

To support drivers using the PTSS mobile app, DoT has created the Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme mobile app user guide (below).

The PTSS mobile app can be used on any mobile phone using iOS (16 or above) or Android (13 or above).

The driver’s device must always be on their person when driving an on-demand rank or hail (taxi) vehicle, for the purpose of hire or reward.

If your ODBS uses the API, you may not need a mobile device that meets the requirements.

Find out more on the PTSS mobile app page.

PTSS journey details will be submitted to DoT via:

  • the PTSS mobile app; or
  • dispatch equipment that your ODBS has integrated with DoT systems, to automatically capture journey details.

DoT will validate all PTSS journeys and pay the subsidy and any co-payment amounts to the ODBS associated with the journey.

As a driver, the ODBS associated with your PTSS journey is responsible for distributing accurate and timely PTSS payments to you, including for rank or hail bookings.

ODBSs and drivers will need to consider any financial arrangements regarding passing on subsidy payments – these are private commercial arrangements that DoT is unable to be involved with.

Drivers will have access to detailed records of their journeys and payments through their own DoTDirect account.

If you have any questions about your PTSS payments, please contact the ODBS that you undertook the work for.

There will be a transition period between 1 March and 30 September 2025, where TUSS cards and vouchers.  must continue to be accepted by taxi drivers.


If a passenger presents you with a new PTSS card and their TUSS vouchers, ensure you only use the PTSS card along with the mobile app or your ODBS’s integrated dispatch system to capture journey details. 


Yes, you must still continue to accept interstate taxi subsidy vouchers.