Community transport discussion paper released

The NSW Government has released a Discussion Paper on the establishment of an authorisation system for community transport drivers, Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian announced today.

Ms Berejiklian urged stakeholders to provide feedback on options to improve the safety of community transport services which provide around two million trips each year to the frail aged, the disabled and the isolated.

"For a number of years, community transport experts have expressed the view that community transport drivers should be authorised," Ms Berejiklian said.

"In response, the NSW Liberals & Nationals are committed to introducing an appropriate driver authorisation scheme for community transport.

"Community transport plays an important role in providing much-needed services for the frail aged, people with disabilities and their carers and for those who do not have access to transport.

"It is estimated that each year, two million community transport trips are made for eligible customers, providing them access to recreation, shopping, medical care, social services and social activities.

"The forecast increase in the proportion of older people in NSW means there will be a greater demand for community transport in the future.

"The NSW Government recognises the need to support the development of community transport so it can respond to these changes and has committed to introduce an appropriate driver authorisation framework to enhance the safety of services provided to community transport customers."

Ms Berejiklian said the Discussion Paper offers a series of questions, with feedback being sought to help Transport for NSW better understand the potential impacts of driver authorisation on community transport operators, drivers and customers.

"The NSW Government wants industry stakeholders to help us strengthen the safety framework for delivery of community transport services by providing us with their ideas on what is best suited to their sector," she said.

The paper is at www.transport.nsw.gov.au and submissions close on 3 February 2012.

• View the Community transport driver authorisation discussion paper
• Community transport discussion paper released (pdf 72KB)