Taxi User Subsidy Scheme

The Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) is a subsidy available to certain eligible people with disabilities travelling in on-demand rank or hail (taxi) vehicles under the provisions of the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Act 2018.

TUSS is an important part of the Department of Transport’s commitment to enabling safe, accessible and efficient movement for the economic and social prosperity of Western Australia.

To be eligible for TUSS, a person must demonstrate that they:

• are a permanent resident in Western Australia;
• have a disability that will always prevent them using conventional public transport; and
• are over ten years of age, or less than ten years of age and they use a wheelchair.

Full details of how the scheme operates, rights and responsibilities of participants and drivers, and details of eligibility requirements and entitlements can be found in the WA Taxi User Subsidy Scheme guidelines.

To be eligible for TUSS, a person must have a disability that falls within one or more of the following 3 categories:

• mobility disability;
• vision disability; and/or
• cognitive or intellectual disability.

Sufficient evidence must be provided to accompany the application form.

A successful applicant will be granted one of the following:

• temporary access to the TUSS – for a specified period of 12 months or more, after which re-assessment of their eligibility will be required; or
• permanent access to the TUSS – ongoing access to the scheme due to evidence of a permanent disability.

Detailed eligibility requirements can be found in the WA Taxi User Subsidy Scheme guidelines.

Applications for participation in the Scheme must be made using the below application form.

Applicants will need to:

1. Complete Part A of the application form, attach proof of residency and sign section 5.
    
2. Obtain a colour photograph, showing the applicant facing the camera and visible from the chest up. The image should not be more than 12 months old.
    
3. Book an appointment with their doctor or specialist. The applicant will need to ask their doctor or specialist to complete part B of the application form and certify the back of the photograph.
    
4. Send the completed application form, certified photograph and proof of residency to:
   
   TUSS – On-demand Transport
   GPO Box C102
   PERTH WA 6839

Each eligible person will be approved to receive one of two categories of subsidy entitlement, depending on their conditions and disabilities:

Standard subsidy:

A contribution of 50% of the fare when travelling in a conventional vehicle, up to a maximum amount of $25.00, will be provided to applicants who do not use a wheelchair.

Wheelchair subsidy: 

• Provided only to applicants who demonstrate that they require the use of a wheelchair.
• 50% of the fare when travelling in a non-wheelchair accessible taxi without a wheelchair, up to a maximum subsidy of $25.00.
• Either 50% or 75% of the fare (as indicated on the vouchers issued) when travelling in a non-wheelchair accessible taxi with a wheelchair, up to a maximum subsidy of $25.00.
• 75% of the fare when travelling in a wheelchair accessible taxi (fitted with a wheelchair hoist), up to a maximum subsidy of $35.00.

Detailed information regarding entitlements can be found in the WA Taxi User Subsidy Scheme guidelines.

Terms and conditions for participation in the TUSS scheme apply to both passengers and drivers. It is important that participants familiarise themselves with the Scheme as outlined in the 'Taxi User Subsidy Scheme: Guidelines'.

DoT reserves the right to take action against participants, taxi drivers and/or on-demand booking services in response to misuse of TUSS. 

Detailed rights and responsibilities can be found in the WA Taxi User Subsidy Scheme guidelines.

If a taxi is hired for group travel, the following rules apply:

• only one voucher from a TUSS participant in the taxi can be used in order to subsidise the fare, and only in accordance with that person's entitlement; and
• the relevant TUSS participant must be in the taxi for the entirety of the taxi journey.

Other TUSS participants travelling in the taxi are not required to present their TUSS Voucher booklet to the taxi driver. The group of passengers travelling together should reach their own agreement regarding payment of the remainder of the fare.

If you are a WA TUSS participant, you are entitled to access your normal subsidy when travelling in another state in Australia.

To access interstate TUSS subsidies, you will need to get a TUSS Interstate Voucher Book from On-demand Transport, Department of Transport.

• Phone: 1300 660 147
• Email: odtcustomerservice@transport.wa.gov.au

When travelling, make sure that:

• your TUSS participant card is valid; and
• you have your TUSS participant card with you.

You must present your TUSS participant card and interstate voucher book to the taxi driver at the start of your journey.

Taxi drivers must accept your interstate vouchers. If you have any issues, contact the taxi company or the state’s governing body at the time of your trip (contact details below), along with the following information:

• the driver’s ID number;
• the taxi plate number; and
• the driver’s name (if possible).

Whilst taxi drivers must accept TUSS Interstate vouchers, they may refuse to accept your normal WA TUSS vouchers. 

If you do not use the TUSS Interstate vouchers when travelling outside Western Australia, you may be required to pay the full taxi fare. DoT will not be able to reimburse you for your trip when you return to WA.

Eligible persons can order additional TUSS vouchers in a range of ways.

• Email ODTCustomerService@transport.wa.gov.au;
• Call On-demand Transport on 1300 660 147; or
• Mail the reorder slip included in your previously issued voucher book to GPO Box C102 Perth WA 6839.

Please allow 7-10 business days from request date to receive additional vouchers.

Eligible persons must report lost or stolen vouchers.

• Email ODTCustomerService@transport.wa.gov.au; 
• Call On-demand Transport on 1300 660 147; or
• Mail the details to GPO Box C102 Perth WA 6839.