In Victoria, the Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) subsidises taxi fares for cardholders with the Government paying 50% up to a maximum trip value of $60 and the customer pays the other 50%. The Government’s portion is paid by swiping the MPTP card in the EFTPOS terminal.

For MPTP cardholders who use a wheelchair in which they travel, a lifting fee of $16 also applies to the fare.  This lifting fee cannot be charged to passengers who use a wheelchair if they do not have an MPTP card.

Members of taxi subsidy programs, like the Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) in Victoria, receive the same discount on fares they are entitled in their home state when travelling within Australia.

When they are planning a trip, they request an interstate subsidy voucher to use in taxis, which is similar to a Cabcharge manual docket.  Instructions for drivers are included on the dockets to inform you of what you need to do when presented with one.

This means when people visit Victoria with interstate vouchers issued in their home state or territory they must also be accepted by Victorian taxi drivers.

Feedback from some interstate visitors shows that this is not always the case. Drivers are reminded that they are required to always accept interstate vouchers as part of the fare.  You should accept the voucher on the condition that the state it is issued in is not Victoria.

Below is an example of an interstate subsidy voucher, so you know what to look out for.

 

You cannot charge interstate customers the lifting fee, even if they are travelling in a wheelchair with a subsidy voucher. The lifting fee can only be charged to MPTP cardholders.  However, when loading or unloading a passenger in a wheelchair without an MPTP card, drivers can turn on the meter during this process.