Keep SATSS Taxi Subsidy – introduction
SATSS – South Australian Taxi Subsidy Scheme gives freedom to PWD – people with disability to travel. It discounts taxi fares by either 50 or 75%, depending on the disability. Each eligible PWD gets 80 vouchers every six months and saves up to $4,800 a year. Sounds great, but the SATSS taxi subsidy will cease to exist this year.
Transition to NDIS
As PWD transition to the NDIS – National Disability Insurance Scheme, the SATSS taxi subsidies are meant to be replaced by funding in the NDIS plans. With my planning, there was no mention of transport funding, and I received nil transport funding. Many other PWD are in similar positions, and some have limited NDIS transport funding.
It seems that both the federal and state governments don’t want to provide the funding. Most PWD cannot afford to pay the full fare and will stay home instead.
The movement
The Facebook group ‘Keep South Australian Taxi Subsidy Scheme‘ was created by Lisa Pierce. Over 300 people have joined the group, as we attempt to share the movement with others. Multiple politicians have mentioned ‘No one will be worse off under the NDIS’, and that’s simply not true. With the NDIS having so many funds that haven’t been spent, why can’t PWD get adequate transport funding, to allow them to work, live and play?
My situation is that I drive my own vehicle, and I am less reliant upon taxis. Please read how I drive at anytime and anywhere, without any help. Recently, My van broke down for four weeks, and I took seventy taxis, and the vouchers saved me around $1,600.
Keep SATSS Taxi Subsidy – the rally
We held a rally outside the South Australian parliament on Friday 26th April 2019. Many politicians supported the event, as well as PWD, and speakers made it clear what we want. SATSS taxi subsidy to continue indefinitely. If you are affected by SATSS being stopped, please join the movement.
Click here to view the ABC news segment of the rally.
