Victorians with disability and accessibility needs now have more subsidised transport options, with rideshare service Uber being approved to offer subsidised trips through the Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP). The MPTP subsidy covers 50 per cent of the cost of eligible participants’ trips, up to $60. The subsidy is automatically applied to the upfront price shown to the MPTP member before they request a trip through the Uber app.
A pilot of the new Accessible Parking Permit (APP) Scheme and online administration system is underway. They replace the previous Victorian Code for the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme and individual council administration systems. From Monday 30th November, residents and organisations located in limited Council areas who require a new permit or need to renew or replace their current permit will apply online through the new system. It is anticipated that the remaining Victorian councils will transition to the new Scheme and APP Online Service in 2021.
Closing date: November 12, 2020
Peoplewith disability or are a parent, carer or companion for a person with disability who travels by bus in Victoria, are invited to participate in this survey. The purpose of the survey is to gain a greater understanding of where and how you use bus stops and what accessible and inclusive features would be important to make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable.
Melbourne’s tram network is a crucial public transport mode, with 205 million trips taken each year. In Victoria, 17 per cent of the population lives with some form of disability. A person with a mobility restriction cannot have, in any practical sense, an accessible tram journey without both a level-access stop and a low-floor tram. This report finds that tram services are not meeting the accessibility needs of passengers with mobility restrictions. In 2018–19, only 15 per cent of tram services delivered a low-floor tram at a level-access stop.
Transport is possibly the most frustrating element of NDIS service delivery. It’s boggled our minds and frustrated us for years. It’s a complex cocktail of links to old service systems, mainstream interfaces, unclear information and out-of-date workarounds. And it only accounts for 3.7% of all NDIS spend – what a lot of stress for 3.7%!
The Victorian Government announced on 24 July 2020 that it is investing $22 million to support the commercial passenger vehicle industry and support jobs to ensure the safety of thousands of passengers and drivers relying on the service throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Closing date: August 14, 2020
The purpose of this survey is to obtain your ideas to address the issues and challenges of connectivity, social equity and economic development within the study area with transport solutions for local, intraregional and interregional travel. The study will consider passenger transport into, out of and within the region, between regions including cross-border connections, as well as connections to capital cities; across the full range of passenger transport services.
People have been getting by, but now the loss of the town’s only local taxi service has compounded worries, leaving disabled and elderly residents struggling to get to appointments in major centres like Colac and Geelong.
The move towards driverless cars isn’t just a chance for people to relax at the wheel. It’s an opportunity to revolutionise personal transport in a way that offers life-changing benefits to people with disabilities.
Closing date: May 20, 2020
Equal access to public transport (trains, trams, buses, taxis and ride shares) is a human right. Victorian activists have been campaigning for a fully accessible transport system for almost 50 years. The state response? “It’s complicated, we need more time.” Join us in making this brief shared experience of lockdown an opportunity to demand a reliable and accessible public transport system that works for everyone. Now.
Closing date: May 1, 2020
0CivVic Labs have brought Zirkarta, a startup company and the Department of Transport together to develop innovative solutions to increasing the accessibility of transport networks. A basic prototype system focusing on the tram network and people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters has been developed and you are invited to try it out and provide feedback.
Shepparton’s Georgie Dodson says she is fed up with people disregarding the rules surrounding disabled parking bays. Mrs Dodson, who has trouble walking, has a disability parking permit displayed on her vehicle’s front windscreen which allows her to park in any disability parking bay around town.
“It does nothing but create anxiety,” said Grieg Chapman, advocate at ACT Disability Aged Care Advocacy Service. Mr Chapman said the change has been hard to understand by some people with disabilities, who now face paying for transport on low incomes.
Melbourne is the only Australian capital city where it is legal for motorcyclists to park on footpaths as long as they do not obstruct access. But as the city becomes more congested, obstacles on footpaths including motorcycles, bikes, A-frame signs and cafe tables, are making pedestrian crowding worse and life very difficult for people with disabilities. On Tuesday, the council will install “no stopping” signs along footpaths next to more than 50 disability parking bays in the CBD. The fine is $165.
A spokesperson for the NDIA said while the NDIS provides some assistance, the states and territories are responsible for making transport accessible.