11 Your right to transport

You have a right to maintain your independence as much as possible and this means being able to travel to attend appointments or access goods and services. Your right to participate in community life also means having the ability to get around. There are many different transport options to help you maintain your independence. These include public or community transport services. You can also access support to help you continue driving as long as possible. This chapter explains how you can access services and support to keep you mobile.

11.1 Public Transport

Public transport is available in all major cities in Australia. It is also available in regional areas, though options may be more limited. In remote areas, public transport is generally not available.

Take the time to investigate the public transport options in your area. Make sure you find out about any discounts for older public transport users in your state or territory. In some places, public transport is free. Take full advantage of the options that are available to you.

Most states and territories have travel concessions for older people. The following table gives you information about the concessions in each state and territory.

Where to go for more information

For general information about public transport services in your state or territory, contact the following agencies or visit their websites.

11.2 Community Transport

Community transport services assist older people to travel to activities such as doctor appointments, shopping or meeting up with friends. The transport is accessible and affordable and targeted to people who are older, frail, or have an illness or disability that makes accessing ordinary transport difficult.

Community transport is provided by non-profit organisations including local councils, community centres, community groups or local clubs. Community transport services may include:

• Individual transport services that can take you to hospital, to medical appointments or to make social visits to family or friends;
• Shopping Transport, which may be a weekly bus service which picks up you and others to allow you to do your shopping; and
• Social transport for group social trips to clubs, sightseeing or the theatre. For example, some Seniors Groups organise trips including coach transport for their members.

Community transport may also be available through aged care at home. For more information see chapter 8.2.

Where to go for more information

Because community transport services are provided by independent organisations and are not coordinated, the services they offer may vary.

To see what services might be available to you, contact your:

• Local council;
• Seniors club;
• Returned Services League Club;
• Sporting club;
• Ethic group or organisation;
• Church group;
• Community group; or
• Community centre.

11.3 Maintaining your driver’s licence

Having the ability to drive a car is an important part of keeping your independence. Being an older driver means you have more experience, but it might also mean that driving is more difficult because you no longer have the same flexibility, reaction times, eyesight and hearing. Taking the following steps will help you to feel safer on the road and assist you to keep the independence associated with driving for as long as possible.

1. Assess your driving skills. Do you feel nervous when driving? Do you know what medications affect your ability? You can do a self-assessment or have one done for you.
2. Avoid driving in situations where you feel uncomfortable. For example, drive only during the day or on quieter roads.
3. Take a driving refresher course. Your motoring association may offer a course for seniors.
4. Share driving if you have a partner. This will allow both of you to maintain your driving skills.
5. Adjust your car to make it safer, or consider updating to a safer model car.

Special licensing requirements apply to older drivers in most states and territories. This may involve having an annual medical check-up or completing a practical driving assessment. If you have an illness that impairs your ability to drive, you may need to report it. It might also mean you need to renew your licence more frequently.

Where to go for more information

Contact the motoring association in your state or territory.

Some roads and licensing authorities provide free publications for older drivers:

Contact the licensing authority in your state or territory for more information about licensing requirements for older drivers.

Where to go for help

Driver refresher courses, assessment services, and car-fitting services tailored for older people may be available in your state or territory.

11.4 Mobility options and subsidies

Transport options may be available to you if you are unable to drive or access public transport. Find out whether you can benefit from a taxi subsidy to reduce the cost of taxi use if you have a disability or a medical condition that prevents the use of public transport. Eligibility differs in each state and territory.

Find out if you are eligible for Mobility Allowance. Mobility Allowance is for people who cannot use public transport without substantial assistance and need to travel to work, volunteer or study.

Where to go for more information

For more information about Mobility Allowance contact Centrelink on 13 27 17 or go to www.humanservices.gov.au.

For more information about taxi subsidies contact the responsible authority in your state or territory.