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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.

ACT
You can travel for free on ACTION buses if you are over 70 years of age. You can get concessions if you hold a combined Seniors/MyWay card.
NSW
You can receive concession fares if you hold a NSW Seniors Card. You can receive half fare concessions on some rail services, government and private bus services and government ferry services. There are also special ‘Excursion Tickets’ for some services.
NT
You can receive concessional travel on public bus services if you are a senior citizen (women 60 years and over and men 65 years and over) and a permanent resident. You may still be eligible even if you are working. You can also receive concessions if you are a pensioner or a low-income superannuant.
Qld
If you have a valid Seniors Card from any state or territory you are eligible for concession fares on TransLink public transport (excluding AirTrain). If you hold a Queensland Gold Repatriation Health Card or Queensland Pensioner Concession Card, you are also entitled to a concession fare. Concession fares cost half the price of an adult fare.
SA
If you have a Seniors Card you can access free Adelaide Metro public transport on weekends and public holidays and between 9.01am - 3.00pm Monday to Friday. Your concession is a 50 percent discount on state public transport at all other times.
Tas
You can receive concessional Metro or Merseylink Bus tickets if you are 70 years or older, have a Seniors Card, or have a Pensioner Card.
Vic
If you have a Victorian Seniors Card, you can be provided with a free card which entitles you to concession fares on trains, trams and buses during the week. You can travel on concession fares on V/Line trains and coaches. It also entitles you to free travel on Saturdays and Sundays in some zones in Melbourne and on regional town bus services.
You can also receive two off-peak travel vouchers in the mail each year. If you are from regional Victoria, you can receive two additional off-peak travel vouchers.
WA
If you have a Western Australian Seniors Card and a SmartRider card, you are entitled to travel for free on all Transperth services between 9.00am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday, as well as public holidays. You will receive a concession at all other times. You will also receive a concession on TransWA services.

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.

ACT
ACTION Buses
13 17 10
NSW
Transport Infoline 131500
131 500
NT
Department of Transport General Enquiries
08 8924 7666
Qld
TransLink
13 12 30 or 07 3851 8700
Qld
Queensland Rail
13 16 17
SA
Adelaide Metro
1300 311 108
SA
Public Transport Services, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure
08 8303 0822
Tas
Metro Tasmania
13 22 01
Tas
Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
1300 851 225
Vic
Public Transport Victoria
1800 800 007
WA
Transperth
13 62 13 or 08 9428 1900
WA
Transwa
1300 662 205

 

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:

ACT
ACT Government’s Older Drivers’ Handbook. Phone the ACT Council of the Ageing on 02 6282 3777 to order.
NSW
NSW Roads and Maritime Services’ (RMS) Guide for Older Drivers. Phone the RMS 13 22 13 or visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au to order.
SA
SA Government’s Moving Right Along information sheets. Phone 13 10 84 to order or visit www.dpti.sa.gov.au to order.
Tas
Tasmanian Government’s Tasmanian Older Drivers Handbook. Phone Transport Tasmania’s Transport Enquiries Service on 1300 851 225 to order.
Vic
Victorian Government’s Older Driver’s Handbook. Phone 1300 366 356 to order.

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.

ACT
Council for the Ageing can connect you with providers. Phone 02 6282 3777 for more information.
NSW
The NRMA runs refreshers for older drivers through the Safer Driving School. Call the Safer Driving School on 1300 696 762.
QLD
The RACQ provides a driver refresher course and assessment service through its driver education service: Drive Assist. These are only available in the Brisbane area. Call Drive Assist on 07 3361 2382.
SA
The RAA provides a CarFit service. This will make adjustments to your car to make it safer for you. Call 08 8202 4223.
VIC
The RACV’s Drive School runs an assessment service and a Seniors’ Driving Program. Call the RACV Drive School on 1300 788 229.

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.

ACT
ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme
02 6205 1012
NSW
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme
1800 623 724
NT
Taxi Subsidy Scheme
08 8924 7043
Qld
Taxi Subsidy Scheme
1300 134 755
SA
South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme
1300 360 840
Tas
Transport Access Scheme
1300 851 225
Vic
Multi Purpose Taxi Program, Victorian Taxi Directorate
1800 638 802
WA
Taxi User’s Subsidy Scheme
1300 660 147