Access Taxi lifting fee for drivers

For SATSS trips, the lifting fee applies to every eligible trip. This does not change if the SATSS member is claiming a subsidised trip or paying for it in full.

The lifting fee won’t be paid for trips that are found to be false or fraudulent.

While the meter is paused, the lifting fee covers 15 minutes of waiting time, so the driver can help the passenger in and out of the taxi.

What drivers must do

1. The lifting fee will be applied by the metropolitan Access Taxi CBS or accredited country taxi operator with an accessible vehicle. The lifting fee can’t be claimed unless the booking comes from the booking service.
2. At the pick-up location, start the meter when the passenger is ready or at the booked time.
3. The meter will pause for up to 7 minutes and 30 seconds to calculate waiting time and running rates. It will start again when the car moves. The fare may appear to be less than usual. However, this time gets covered by the lifting fee.
4. When you have arrived at the destination, you must turn the meter off before helping the passenger out of the taxi. If you don’t, the lifting fee may be denied and penalties may apply.
5. If the passenger is paying the full fare, select ‘0 trips’ in the app.
6. The passenger can choose up to three vouchers or trips when paying for their journey:
   • One voucher or trip for fares under $41
   • Two vouchers or trips for fares between $41 and $81
   • Three vouchers or trips for fares over $81.
7. Never ask the passenger to pay the lifting fee or any part of it.
8. For paper vouchers only: Write “$27.50” (lifting fee plus GST) under the voucher number to claim the lifting fee. Do not add the lifting fee to the fare total.

Hospital staff bookings

The lifting fee will apply to Access Taxi trips booked by hospital staff in an individual capacity when the metered fare is applied.

Internet access

If your mobile internet or data is off when the SATSS member’s ID card is scanned, the journey information will be stored in the app. This will be uploaded to the SATSS system when you turn your internet back on.

Penalties

Inappropriate use of SATSS vouchers, a SATSS member ID card or a non-SATSS Access Taxi Card may result in penalties. You may also be referred to the Passenger Transport Standards Committee for breaches of the Passenger Transport Regulations 2024.

For non-SATSS trips, the lifting fee is not applicable:

• for trips that are covered under contracted arrangements with facilities such as schools
• if the passenger does not hold a non-SATSS Access Taxi Card

The non-SATSS Access Taxi Card can be scanned using the SATSS app, like the SATSS member ID card.

Drivers must scan the non-SATSS Access Taxi Card for the lifting fee to be applied.

What drivers must do

1. The lifting fee will be applied by the metropolitan Access Taxi CBS or accredited country taxi operator with an accessible vehicle.  The lifting fee can’t be claimed unless the booking comes from the booking service.
2. At the pick-up location, start the meter when the passenger is ready or at the booked time.
3. The meter will pause for up to 7 minutes and 30 seconds to calculate waiting time and running rates. It will start again when the car moves. The fare may appear to be less than usual. However, this time gets covered by the lifting fee.
4. When you have arrived at the destination, you must turn the meter off before helping the passenger out of the taxi. If you don’t, the lifting fee may be denied and penalties may apply.
5. Scan the barcode to record that the journey has ended and enter the total fare into the app.

Hospital staff bookings

The lifting fee can be claimed for trips booked by hospital staff when:

• the booking is for an individual
• when a fare is charged
• the customer holds a non-SATSS Access Taxi Card.

Contract arrangements

The lifting fee cannot be claimed if a trip is covered under contracted arrangements with an organisation, such as a school.

Internet access

If your mobile internet or data is off when the non-SATSS Access Taxi Card is scanned, the journey information will be stored in the app. This will be uploaded to the SATSS system when you turn your internet back on.

Penalties

Inappropriate use of SATSS vouchers, a SATSS member ID card or a non-SATSS Access Taxi Card may result in penalties. You may also be referred to the Passenger Transport Standards Committee for breaches of the Passenger Transport Regulations 2024.

You can’t claim an additional lifting fee if the meter is left running during multiple stops and the SATSS or non-SATSS cardholder does not exit the vehicle.

Only one lifting fee can be claimed per trip. A trip is from the pick-up location to the drop-off destination, where the SATSS or non-SATSS cardholder enters and exits the vehicle.

If the meter runs between the original trip and the return trip, it is considered a single trip. You can’t claim a second lifting fee.

A second booking must be made for the lifting fee to be applied. This means that the:

• meter must be turned off after the original trip
• passenger must exit the vehicle
• passenger must book a second trip through the Access Taxi CBS or accredited country taxi operator with an accessible vehicle.

We will investigate all cases where this occurs to make sure all claims are legitimate. Penalties and/or referral to the Passenger Transport Standards Committee may apply for breaches of the Passenger Transport Regulations 2024.