[LINK] Fwd: Smart Card for Taxi Subsidy Scheme

[Jan Whitaker]

More technology for people with disabilities:

>Minister for Transport and Main Roads
>The Honourable Paul Lucas
>17/11/2006
>Smart Card for Taxi Subsidy Scheme
>
>
>Queensland's $12 million Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) for people with
>disabilities is about to get a lot smarter, Minister for Transport and Main
>Roads, Paul Lucas, said today.
>
>Mr Lucas said the scheme's 56,000 mobility-impaired members would soon be
>issued Smart Cards to replace the current manual voucher system.
>
>"The Smart Cards will be much easier to use and much more secure than
>vouchers," Mr Lucas said.
>
>"Queensland Transport has identified Cabcharge Australia Ltd as the
>preferred supplier and will now enter contract negotiations for the new
>smart cards.
>
>"The State Government is providing $2 million to modernise the subsidy
>scheme. Members can expect to receive the new Smart Cards in the first half
>of 2007.
>
>"The cards have photo identity and contain computer chips that interface
>with taxi meters to record the correct fare for each journey," he said.
>
>Mr Lucas said the TSS provided a subsidy of 50% for taxi fares (to a limit
>of $25 each trip) for people who met a Queensland Health eligibility test.
>There was no limit to the number of trips a member could take, and they
>could also access subsidised taxi travel in other states.
>
>The State Government provides around $12 million each year in subsidies.
>
>Under the current voucher system, which was introduced in 1987, members are
>issued vouchers that they give to drivers, and the drivers have to fill in
>the trip details.
>
>Mr Lucas said a small minority of taxi drivers and passengers were claiming
>subsidies for journeys not taken, claiming the full fare instead of
>half-fare, or using vouchers they were not entitled to use.
>
>Earlier this month two men faced court over multiple counts of fraud
>involving more than $60,000 of taxi subsidies. And last December a taxi
>driver was successfully prosecuted on 27 counts of fraud. He was fined
>$13,500 and a conviction was recorded.
>
>"This is an essential service that helps around 58,000 disadvantaged people
>in our community get around, and we won't tolerate people trying to rip it
>off," Mr Lucas said.
>
>"The smart card system will eliminate that avenue for fraud while also
>making the system easier for both the member and the taxi driver.
>
>"When membership expires, or a Smart Card is lost or stolen, Queensland
>Transport will automatically de-activate the card.
>
>"The integration between the taxi meter, GPS and card reader means the
>system will automatically record the exact fare from the meter and deduct
>the rebate amount. An alternative system will be available for non-metered
>taxis in regional areas.
>
>"It will also mean significant administration savings for taxi companies and
>Queensland Transport because it eliminates a lot of paper work," Mr Lucas
>said.

Jan Whitaker
JLWhitaker Associates, Melbourne Victoria
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
business: http://www.janwhitaker.com
personal: http://www.janwhitaker.com/personal/
commentary: http://janwhitaker.com/jansblog/

'Seed planting is often the most important step. Without the seed, 
there is no plant.' - JW, April 2005
_ __________________ _