The South Australian government will rollout its top-up lifting fee for wheelchair accessible cabs to the state’s regions following heavy criticism. 

Key points:

  • Regional taxi operators have been unable to receive a state government lifting subsidy for 25 years
  • The state government has committed to extending the subsidy to the regions
  • SA’s transport minister says safeguards need will be needed to ensure the system is not being abused

Drivers of disability access taxis in Adelaide have been getting top-up payments from the state government for decades, but it is the first time a commitment has been made to investigate extending the payments to regional operators.

Des’s Cabs, which is based in Whyalla and operates in several regional settings, has been advocating for the extension for years.

Prior to the state government’s recent announcement, Des’s Cabs executive chairman Chris Brougham said he was operating access taxis at a loss.

Des’s Cabs’ Chris Brougham welcomed the state government’s decision.(Supplied: Des’s Cabs)

Mr Brougham said the initial capital of buying and converting a cab to an access cab could be over $100,000.

“It’s not a cheap service to provide, but it’s one that we see the community needs,” he said.

“The guys who drive the vehicles invariably don’t make as much money as the guys who don’t.

“There’s so much more time and care needed to load and unload a passenger.

“From our point of view, it’s the non-wheelchair taxis that are subsidising the wheelchair taxis. In other words, we’re paying for it.”

Access cabs a ‘lifeline’

Victor Harbor resident Angela Virgin, who lives with post-polio syndrome and requires a mobility scooter, said that with no other feasible transport solution access cabs were her “lifeline”.

Angela Virgin, 77, said she needed access cabs to remain social.(Supplied: Angela Virgin)

Following the death of her husband, Ms Virgin said access cabs were vital to keep her socially active, as well as for transporting her to medical appointments.

 “Without the access cabs, I’d be under psychiatric care. I’m sure of that,” she said.

“I did work in psychiatric care for 50 years of my life, so I know what I’m talking about.”

Lifting fee extension confirmed

SA Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis, who has described access cabs as an essential service, said the regions had historically not received the $25 lifting fee for several reasons.

Tom Koutsantonis says administrating the subsidy will be more complex in regional areas.(ABC News: Che Chorley)

Mr Koutsantonis said country access cabs had a longer life period of 15 years, compared to eight in metropolitan areas, could charge 20 per cent more, and did not need a taxi plate in order to operate.

“Having said that, I do think it’s important that we do acknowledge the work that our country access cabs do,” he said.

“I have listened to concerns from regional operators and users of wheelchair-accessible taxis.

“As a result of this, I can confirm we will extend the lifting fee statewide, including regional South Australia.”

It is unsure when the regional lifting fee will beome applicable.(Supplied: Des’s Cabs)

But Mr Koutsantonis was unable to confirm when regional operators would be able to access the payments. 

“The administration of this extension will be more complex in regional areas due to different operating mechanisms,” he said.

“I have asked my department to immediately work through options to implement this change as soon as possible.

“We don’t want taxi operators being able to access the lifting fee unless the people that they’re carrying, are actually eligible for it.”

Mr Brougham welcomed the news and said the additional lifting fee would help Des’s attract and retain more access taxi drivers.

“After 25 years, you could be a little bit sceptical,” he said.

“But I have to say that the minister spoke very forthright. He was fairly confident it could happen.”