Learn about how the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) modernised the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (TUSS). The Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) replaces TUSS from 1 March 2025.
There will be a transition period between 1 March and 30 September 2025, where TUSS cards and vouchers must continue to be accepted by taxi drivers.
Visit the Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) information hub for up-to-date information, including:
What changed
Between 2022 and 2025, DTMI modernised TUSS to make taxi journeys smoother and easier for both drivers and their passengers. Based on previous consultation with TUSS participants and taxi industry stakeholders, DTMI delivered a digital system that no longer requires paper vouchers to be used, including:
- a new PTSS card to replace the previous TUSS participant card, which is scanned by taxi drivers to start and end a trip; and
- digital systems to help drivers capture PTSS journey details, including the PTSS mobile app and functionality to link taxi dispatch equipment to DTMI systems via an application programming interface (API).
The digital PTSS system was piloted with volunteer taxi drivers and TUSS participants in Perth, Albany and Northam, who found the digital smartcard and mobile app made their journey quicker and easier – read About the PTSS pilot below for more information.
Other TUSS reform achievements include:
- Enhancing systems for more efficient processing of TUSS applications.
- Development of a new online portal for occupational therapist assessments to submit their recommendations securely and electronically to DTMI.
- Confirmation of TUSS participant contact details to ensure they receive important information and updates about PTSS.
- Publishing an updated PTSS application form in accessible PDF format.
- Engagement with key disability and community stakeholders about the changes.
As PTSS is rolled out across the state, taxi industry members and PTSS participants are encouraged to continue sharing their experiences and constructive feedback with DTMI:
- email ondemandtransport@transport.wa.gov.au; or
- call 13 11 56.
Watch
Watch “How to use your Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme card” to find out what the PTSS card looks like and how to use it. For more information about the PTSS card, visit About your PTSS participation.
Transcript
[Text on screen: Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme.]
[Visual: An animated clip showing a van driving in front of buildings with Perth city in the background.]
[Sound: Music playing in the background throughout.]
Narrator: The Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (or PTSS) is the digital system that replaces the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (or TUSS).
[Text on screen PTSS]
[Visual: An animated person in a wheelchair catching a purple PTSS card.]
Narrator: PTSS supports people with disability to have more transport options, by subsidising part of the cost of your taxi journey.
[Visual: A taxi van pulls up next to the person, and they show their PTSS card to the driver.]
Narrator: As a participant, you will receive a PTSS card to access your subsidy when travelling in a taxi. Your PTSS card replaces TUSS vouchers.
[Text on screen: Yellow 50% standard.]
[Visual: A yellow PTSS card.]
Narrator: If you get a standard 50% subsidy, your PTSS card will be yellow.
[Text on screen: Purple 50% or 75% wheelchair.]
[Visual: A purple PTSS card.]
Narrator: If you get a wheelchair subsidy of 50% or 75%, your PTSS card will be purple.
[Visual: A green Taxi User Subsidy Scheme voucher on the left and a purple PTSS card on the right.]
Narrator: If you had a green TUSS card and vouchers, you will have a purple PTSS card with the same subsidy amount you previously received.
[Visual: Purple PTSS card. The animation highlights the area of the card being mentioned.]
Narrator: Your PTSS card will include:
- your name,
- your participant number,
- a card number,
- a photo of you,
- what type of subsidy you get,
- and an expiry date.
To support people with vision accessibility needs, your PTSS card will also include:
- the letters PTSS in Braille on the front,
- and a cutout on the side.
[Visual: An animated person showing thumbs up.]
[Text on screen: By using your PTSS card, you agree to follow the conditions of use outlined in the PTSS Guidelines for Participants.
Narrator: By using your PTSS card, you agree to follow the conditions of use outlined in the PTSS Guidelines for Participants available on the Department of Transport website.
[Text on a blue screen: Government of Western Australia Department of Transport. For more information, visit transport.wa.gov.au/ptss ]
Narrator: For more information, visit transport.wa.gov.au/ptss
End of transcript
Watch “What happens on a Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme journey” to learn more about what happens when you catch a taxi using PTSS. Visit What happens on a PTSS journey for more information.
Transcript
[Text on screen: Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme.]
[Visual: An animated clip showing a van driving in front of buildings with Perth city in the background.]
[Sound: Music playing in the background throughout.]
Narrator: The Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme, or PTSS, is the digital system that replaces the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (or TUSS).
[Visual: A taxi van drives between two red place markers. ‘PTSS’, on the left sits over a yellow stripe. ‘Cost’, on the right sits over a green stripe.]
Narrator: PTSS supports people with disability to have more transport options, by subsidising part of the cost of a taxi journey.
[Visual: A person in a wheelchair catches a purple PTSS card and then flags down a taxi, showing their card.]
Narrator: The digital PTSS system aims to make journeys smoother and quicker for passengers and drivers. When catching a taxi, participants will only need their PTSS card to access their subsidy.
[Text on blue screen: Steps in a PTSS journey.]
[Visual: The animation visualises each of the steps.]
Narrator: A PTSS journey will follow these steps.
1. Before the journey starts, the participant presents their PTSS card to the taxi driver.
2. The driver will scan the PTSS card using either their mobile phone or taxi meter.
3. At the end of the journey, the driver will scan the PTSS card again.
4. The taxi driver enters the total fare amount from their meter into the app.
[Visual: The Taxi meter shows Rate:1, For hire: $40.40 total fare. The mobile phone shows $10.10 total payable by the participant.]
Narrator: The subsidy is calculated, and the driver will tell the participant how much of the journey is covered, and how much they must pay.
[Visual: The animation visualising each of the steps continues.]
5. The participant pays the driver to complete the journey.
[Visual: The person in a wheelchair has completed their journey and the taxi van drives away.]
Narrator: PTSS participants will not need to use a smartphone or an app to take a taxi journey.
[Text on a blue screen: Government of Western Australia Department of Transport. For more information, visit transport.wa.gov.au/ptss ]
Narrator: For more information, visit transport.wa.gov.au/ptss
End of Transcript
Easy Read information
We have made an Easy Read document to explain how we are changing TUSS. There are two versions of the document:
- a PDF version with pictures to explain some ideas; and
- a text-only Word version.
You can ask for help to read these documents. A friend, family member or support person might be able to help you.
Find the Easy Read documents below.
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About the PTSS pilot
To help ensure PTSS works smoothly for ODBSs, drivers and passengers, DTMI conducted a pilot to test the digital PTSS system, including:
- the PTSS card;
- the PTSS mobile app; and
- driver activity reports in DoTDirect.
The pilot began in the Perth metropolitan area from 2–13 December 2024, involving a small number of volunteer taxi drivers from Black & White Cabs and TUSS participants.
During February 2025, the pilot expanded with more participants and drivers from Black & White Cabs, as well as participating drivers from Avon Taxis in Northam and Albany Wheelchair Taxis in Albany.
Pilot participants helped DTMI identify bugs and areas of improvement for the digital PTSS system. Overall, participants shared positive experiences of using the digital PTSS system, including:
- shorter journey times with less paperwork required to be completed by the driver;
- the card is less bulky and easier to carry than vouchers; and
- no worry about running out of vouchers or ordering new books makes things easier.