Access Cabs

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (14:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the minister representing the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure regarding access cab services in South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: On Monday, I met with the Access Fleet Advisory Association. Members might be aware that 102 access cabs across South Australia provide transport to mobility aid users. Many access cab users access 50 per cent and 75 per cent subsidised trips in these access cabs through the SATSS (SA Transport Subsidy Scheme), and I appreciate that the minister has just further extended SATSS vouchers for NDIS participants for another two years.

Access cabs, because of their size, are often also used as taxis for larger groups but access cabs are not eligible for the $30,000 compensation scheme that standard cab drivers are receiving, despite the advent of Uber and other ride sharing services negatively impacting on their customer base. While in general, access cab plates or licence fees have been cheaper than standard cabs, I am aware, for example, of one access cab plate owner who paid $120,000 for his plate.

When the minister published his Taxi and Chauffeur Vehicle Industry Review in February of last year, one recommendation that he said he would implement was a lifting fee for access taxis, and he has also reiterated this to me in several meetings since this time. Lifting fees allow the actual time the driver uses to safely load and secure wheelchair and mobility aid users into the vehicle, and lifting fees have been present interstate for access cabs for up to a decade in all other jurisdictions but Queensland. It is now 18 months later, and there is still no sign of an implementation of this lifting fee.

I also note that smart cards, rather than paper vouchers, have been implemented interstate and in many jurisdictions too. My questions to the minister are:

1. When will the promised lifting fee be introduced for access cabs?

2. Will the lifting fee only apply to 75 per cent SATSS vouchers, despite the fact that some mobility aid users only have 50 per cent vouchers due to, for example, only using their mobility aid part time?

3. Will the minister meet with the Access Fleet Advisory Association to discuss their concerns?

4. What is the timeline for the introduction of the recently tendered smart card initiative for the SATSS program in this state?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for her important series of questions. Obviously, questions addressed to the transport minister are best answered by him, but I am more than happy to take those questions on notice and seek a response as they pertain to important issues, particularly for the users of access cabs.