On how paratransit works

[Myrtone]

There is this video on how paratransit works. Is this illegal in Australia?

[Myrtone]

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires complementary paratransit wherever there are fixed routes.
Is it true that such services would be illegal here?

[rtt_rules]

There is this video on how paratransit works. Is this illegal in Australia?

Illegal no, but I believe we have similar alternatives for mobility limited passengers in Australia.

One of the arguments against spending large amounts of money on DDA compliance on mostly minor stations for PT is how much would be saved by running special taxis on a as needs basis. However the states are largely progressively complying over time installing lifts and upgrading to ramps. The Sydney Metro clearly DDA compliant and yet some of the Sydney Airport railway stations (mostly Green Square) are marginal.

[Myrtone]

We have community transport in this country, but it is not public transport or a parallel public transport service.
What about complementary U.S paratransit?

[rtt_rules]

We have community transport in this country, but it is not public transport or a parallel public transport service.
What about complementary U.S paratransit?

I think Australia has stricter or longer standing rules on DDA access so maybe thats less of an issue for that part.

From Google

The Australian government funds personal transport for people with disabilities primarily through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the Mobility Allowance, providing support for taxis, rideshare, and modified vehicles. These, alongside state-based subsidies, help cover travel costs to work, education, or community activities.

Tk Community Care Services

Key Funding and Transport Options
NDIS Transport Funding: Participants with mobility limitations, or those who cannot use public transport, may have transport funding included in their NDIS plans. This can be used for taxis, Uber (including uberASSIST), or specialised transport services to attend work, school, or community events.

Level 1 (Up to /year): For participants not working/studying but needing community access.

Higher Levels: Available for those working, studying, or requiring higher levels of support.
Mobility Allowance: A payment (managed by Services Australia) for individuals 16+ who cannot use public transport without substantial assistance and need to travel for work, training, or job seeking.

Taxi Subsidy Schemes: State-based schemes, such as the Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) in WA or Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS) in NSW, offer up to 50–75% off taxi fares for eligible participants, including wheelchair-accessible taxis.
Community Transport: Localized, often door-to-door, transport services for people with reduced mobility, available across states.

State-Specific Transport Support
Victoria: Public Transport Victoria (PTV) offers the Access Travel Pass, Scooter/Wheelchair Travel Pass, and free weekend travel for Disability Support Pensioners.
Queensland: The Brisbane City Council provides Personalised Public Transport (PPT) services with wheelchair-accessible cabs for $1 per trip in certain areas.

Queensland Government
Eligibility & Application
Eligibility generally requires having a permanent disability or, for the Mobility Allowance, a disability that prevents unassisted use of public transport for at least 12 months. Applications for NDIS are made through the NDIA, while Mobility Allowance is handled by Services Australia

[Myrtone]

That video on how paratransit works notes that paratransit is actually a broader term for services without fixed routes and timetables that run alongside fixed route services. Has anyone here heard of sharetaxis?

[Myrtone]

Also, our community transport is not public transport or a parallel public transport service, what about U.S paratransit?

[rtt_rules]

That video on how paratransit works notes that paratransit is actually a broader term for services without fixed routes and timetables that run alongside fixed route services. Has anyone here heard of sharetaxis?

Uber has share option to save money.

Anyway, I believe you will find each state has its own version of the USA Paratransit.

[Myrtone]

Uber has share option to save money.

My question was not about Uber. By the way, that is definitely not public transport or a parallel public transport service.

As I said, our community transport is not public transport or a parallel public transport service.
Does U.S paratransit count as public transport? Is it a parallel service?

[Myrtone]

One of the arguments against spending large amounts of money on DDA compliance on mostly minor stations for PT is how much would be saved by running special taxis on a as needs basis. However the states are largely progressively complying over time installing lifts and upgrading to ramps. The Sydney Metro clearly DDA compliant and yet some of the Sydney Airport railway stations (mostly Green Square) are marginal.

But doesn't our law require those stations to have lifts and ramps, special taxis not being a substitute, this page mentions equivalent access.

[rtt_rules]

Uber has share option to save money.

My question was not about Uber. By the way, that is definitely not public transport or a parallel public transport service.

As I said, our community transport is not public transport or a parallel public transport service.
Does U.S paratransit count as public transport? Is it a parallel service?

Its a parallel system and I wouldn't call it PT, but rather disabled PT.

"Paratransit is a wheelchair-accessible, public transportation service for individuals with disabilities who cannot access their local fixed-route transit system."

[rtt_rules]

One of the arguments against spending large amounts of money on DDA compliance on mostly minor stations for PT is how much would be saved by running special taxis on a as needs basis. However the states are largely progressively complying over time installing lifts and upgrading to ramps. The Sydney Metro clearly DDA compliant and yet some of the Sydney Airport railway stations (mostly Green Square) are marginal.

But doesn't our law require those stations to have lifts and ramps, special taxis not being a substitute, this page mentions equivalent access.

Laws do not require unreasonable upgrades for the fixed PT networks, but rather progressive upgrades over a very longtime frame, but any new works or major upgrades must comply.

Special taxis for disabled inleiu of PT are pretty much operating like the US paratransit

The thing with the USA, is that alot of their legacy PT isn't DAA compliant by Australian standards, especially regional trains.

[Myrtone]

Its a parallel system and I wouldn't call it PT, but rather disabled PT.

Community transport in this country does not count as public transport or a parallel service at all! Taxis are not either.

[rtt_rules]

There is this video on how paratransit works. Is this illegal in Australia?

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires complementary paratransit wherever there are fixed routes.
Is it true that such services would be illegal here?

Why would it be illegal?

[rtt_rules]

Its a parallel system and I wouldn't call it PT, but rather disabled PT.

Community transport in this country does not count as public transport or a parallel service at all! Taxis are not either.

You can apply whatever label you like, but the end result is basically the same. Getting mobile restricted people from their home to their destination.

We have basically the same thing under different names and modes

Community Transport
Community Transport Services: These services are available across Australia and can include group transport or individual transport options. They are designed to assist those who may not be able to use public transport independently
disabilitygateway.gov.au

Easylink Transport: This service provides accessible transport for disabled individuals, helping them reach various destinations such as work, medical appointments, and social activities. Easylink is approved under the NDIS for community participation and transport
easylink.com.au

Taxi and Rideshare Services
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis (WATs): Many states offer taxi services that are wheelchair accessible. Some governments provide financial assistance for these services to ensure that individuals with disabilities can travel conveniently
disabilitygateway.gov.au

Rideshare Options: Rideshare services are also available and can be a flexible option for disabled individuals needing transport

[rtt_rules]

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires complementary paratransit wherever there are fixed routes.
Is it true that such services would be illegal here?

To save alot of time

No it is not true and there is absolutely no reason for it to be illegal and why would you even make such a suggestion? A simple google search will get you your answer.

No, paratransit is not illegal in Australia. In fact, it is a highly supported, funded, and heavily utilized network. Often referred to locally as "Community Transport", this service is a protected and vital part of Australia's mobility infrastructure.Australia relies on this specialized, door-to-door, accessible, and on-demand transport sector to help seniors, individuals with disabilities, and isolated citizens reach medical appointments, employment, and social events

How Paratransit is Regulated and Supported

Legal Protections: The sector is legally backed by the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to prevent transport discrimination.

Government Funding: Paratransit is widely subsidized by federal and state governments via initiatives like the Commonwealth Home Support Program and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Industry Representation: Peak bodies like the Australian Community Transport Association (ACTA) oversee best practices, advocate for operators, and maintain industry standards.

Operational Integration: Paratransit models in Australia are also run by major public transit operators, such as Transdev

[Myrtone]

Our law requires public transport to be accessible to all; specialist transport in other contexts might not be, but this does not count as public transport.

[rtt_rules]

Our law requires public transport to be accessible to all; specialist transport in other contexts might not be, but this does not count as public transport.

It actually doesn't.

It requires new infrastructure and reasonable effort made upgrading existing. Hence the states are progressively upgrading the railways over decades, not years. As buses, trams etc are life expired, their replacements must comply and bus and tram stops must be progressively upgraded.

Taxis and other specialised transport are funded to provide PT to those not able to conveniently access DDA PT such as for example if the nearest station to the persons home doesn't lifts or they are not working. That sort of thing. So to say taxi's are not PT when they are actually used as PT is total BS.