Disability advocates call for state-based transport subsidy reform, following a landmark national trial by Uber
Leading disability advocacy organisations are calling for the urgent reform of state-based transport subsidy schemes, following new evidence from a landmark national trial commissioned by Uber and delivered by inclusivity consultants, Get Skilled Access.
The findings highlight the life-changing impact of genuine transport choice for people with disability, with the inclusion of access to rideshare services alongside taxis supporting enhanced independence, safety and social participation.
Currently, rideshare is not available to taxi subsidy scheme users except in Victoria’s Multi-Taxi Purpose Program. To test an alternative provider-neutral model, the 12-week trial engaged 148 participants with disability, aged 18 to over 75, living across all states (except VIC and NT) and provided them with Uber credits equivalent to their state subsidy, to use as suited their needs.
The results of the trial (Real Access, Real Choice – Why State-Based Taxi Subsidy Schemes Need to be Modernised) — also backed by disability advocacy organisations including Vision Australia, Disability Voices Tasmania, Carers Australia, Children and Young People with Disability Australia — will be released today at NSW Parliament House.
The results were clear. When using rideshare, participants reported significant positive impacts in perceived safety, reliability and independence — 95% felt confident that using Uber met their transport needs, 97% felt that using Uber met their access needs, 96% felt safe, and 92% felt independent and empowered in their daily lives. Critically, nearly all participants (98%) supported the permanent inclusion of rideshare in state-funded taxi subsidy schemes.
Beyond the data, the human impact was profound. Participants accepted work shifts they would have previously declined, attended medical appointments independently, and took part in social, community and sports activities without the need for complex, often stressful, planning.
Emma Foley, General Manager, Uber ANZ, said, “Transport isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s how people stay connected, independent and able to participate in everyday life. This trial shows what happens when people with disability get genuine choice.
“State-funded taxi subsidy schemes play a critical role in supporting people with disability, but they have not kept pace with how Australians move today. Victoria’s provider-neutral model is a strong blueprint, and this trial adds to the case for other states to back funding that follows the person, not the transport mode”.
The case for reform is also backed by the broader community, with nearly four in five Australians (78 per cent) agreeing that people with disability should have the right to choose how they travel to fully participate in their community.
Chris Edwards, General Manager, Corporate Affairs and Advocacy, Vision Australia, said, “For people with disability, travel is often complex, stressful and requires a level of planning that most people never think about. When choice is limited, that burden increases.
“Vision Australia’s own data shows close to 60 per cent of people with disability would be more likely to use subsidy schemes if rideshare were included — a finding reinforced by this trial. That’s why we are calling for the urgent expansion of state subsidy schemes, a modest reform that would deliver enormous impacts for our community.”
Download the full report, Real Access, Real Choice – Why State-Based Taxi Subsidy Schemes Need to be Modernised here.