2014-07-22 Infrastructure & Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    22 JULY 2014


4.5     Discontinue Council Cabs and promote alternative transport

If Council Cabs is discontinued, the following services may provide alternative transport options.

Table 7: Alternative Transport Options

Service                                           Details
State Government Taxi Subsidy Scheme              The Taxi Subsidy Scheme subsidises taxi travel,
                                                  half of the total fare, up to a maximum of $25 per
                                                  trip, for people with severe disabilities.
Queensland Ambulance Service                      Provides non-emergency patient transport for
                                                  Pre-arranged visits to a medical facility for ongoing
                                                  treatment or transfers between medical facilities for
                                                  specialist treatment.
Home and Community Care (HACC)                    Community transport is available to help frail aged
                                                  and people with disabilities go shopping or attend
                                                  medical appointments. Each HACC service provider
                                                  has its own fees policy.
ComLink                                           ComLink is a not-for-profit, volunteer based
                                                  community organisation. They provide transport and
                                                  social support options for eligible community
                                                  members to and from medical appointments,
                                                  shopping and social outings.
Department of Veterans Affairs – Repatriation     Veterans and war widows/ers who travel for
Transport Scheme                                  approved medical treatment may be eligible for
                                                  reimbursement of certain expenses incurred.
Noosa Day Respite Centre                          Transport for clients one day a week for their
                                                  shopping and banking. Fee is $5. Services Noosa
                                                  and the Hinterland.
TransLink                                         Public transport provider.


Previous Council Consideration

Public Transport Levy adopted in 2014/15 Budget.

Finance & Risk

Council Cabs is currently delivered by Suncoast Cabs, and is funded by the Public Transport
Levy.

Provided a booking is made. Council pays the following agreed service fees:

    $1.70 per km
    $2.46 flagfall
    $1.27 booking fee
    5% administration fee

The average monthly cost for the six months ending 31 May 2014 was $871.61, equating to:
Average cost per run - $23.
Average cost to Council per passenger carried - $11.
Average cost to Council per individual - $67.

$7,000 was allocated to Council Cabs from the Public Transport Levy budget for the half year
ending 30 June 2014. As of 31 st May 2014, $4,642 has been expended.
                                                                                      Page 22 of 49