- A new, modern Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) is coming to WA
- Black & White Cabs and volunteer Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) participants part of small pilot
- The new scheme will introduce a smartcard for participants, replacing paper vouchers
- Full rollout to all existing participants and the taxi industry by March 2025
The Cook Government has commenced user testing of a new digital system that will replace the need for paper vouchers for participants of the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme.
The Department of Transport (DoT) is conducting a pilot of the new digital system for the renamed Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme, with a small group of taxi drivers from Black & White Cabs and TUSS participants from the Perth metropolitan area.
A limited number of pilot participants will test the new smartcard and PTSS mobile app in the Perth metropolitan area to ensure that journeys and payments go as smoothly as possible.
During the pilot, other TUSS participants will still need to use their current participant card and vouchers to access their subsidy, and all taxi drivers must continue to accept TUSS vouchers.
It is anticipated that the new digital PTSS system will be rolled out to all existing participants and the taxi industry by the end of March 2025.
On-demand booking services (ODBSs) will need to register to access the digital PTSS system via their DoTDirect accounts.
There will be a transition period from March 2025, where both old TUSS cards and vouchers and new PTSS cards must be accepted by taxi drivers.DoT will advise both industry and participants when the transition period has finished.
DoT will continue communicating important information and updates via regular industry and TUSS reform newsletters.
As stated by the Minister Assisting the Transport Minister David Michael:
"We have acted on feedback from previous consultation with TUSS participants and taxi industry stakeholders to develop and deliver a new digital system that will no longer require paper vouchers to be used.
"This pilot will see a small group of TUSS participants and drivers from Black & White Cabs test a new smartcard scanned by the drivers at the start and end of a trip.
"The smartcard replaces the current participant card and paper vouchers, as well as the new PTSS mobile app for taxi drivers that will record all the trip details, saving time and improving the journey experience for both driver and passenger.
"The new PTSS digital system will be rolled out across WA by March 2025."
