There are a number of transport subsidies available to help the travelling public, and these are described as follows. 

Victorian Patient's Transport Assistance Sheme (VPTAS)

VPTAS  provides partial reimbursement for travel and accommodation costs incurred by rural Victorians who need to travel long distances for medical or dental specialist services.  To be eligible for VPTAS assistance, people need to travel more than 100kms (one way) to the nearest medical or dental specialist.  Others who travel shorter distances, but travel 500kms (on average) over the course of one week are also eligible to apply.  Approved escorts may also be eligible to seek assistance with travel and accommodation costs as well.  People who have a concession card are eligible to receive 17 cents per kilometre for their approved transport.  Other non-concession cardholders, however, may also be eligible under certain conditions.  In these instances, the first $100 may be deducted from their VPTAS subsidy in each treatment year.  VPTAS is not intended to be a full reimbursement scheme, but is designed to subsidize the cost incurred by rural Victorians who are required to travel for approved medical specialist treatment.  Application forms are available from the following link  -  VPTAS Claim Form.  Alternatively you can telephone 1300 737 073 and ask for an application form to be posted to your address.  If you live in NSW, then a similar subsidy is also available via the following link  -  IPTAAS Claim Form.

Multi-Purpose Taxi Program

The Multi-Purpose Taxi Program is available to assist people with severe and permanent disabilities that restricts their mobility and prevents them from accessing public transport.  The program is a subsidy scheme which provides a 50% discount on taxi fares (up to a maximum of $30 per trip) for eligible people.  Eligible people are issued with a special card which they or their carer must produce when paying for a taxi fare.  The program is not available for people whose disability is mild or moderate, or people who are able to travel independently on public transport, or for people who happen to be isolated from public transport but do not have a severe permanent disability.  Even if you don't have a taxi in your town, this subsidy program may be handy to have when you travel to a larger centre.  Ask your doctor for more information, or click on the following link  -  Multi-Purpose Taxi Program.  Alternatively you can telephone 1800 638 802 for more details.   

Mobility Allowance

Centrelink provides a mobility allowance for people who have an intellectual disability.  To be eligible, the person must travel to and from their home in connection with work, training or job search activities.  Telephone 132717 for more details.

Department of Veterans' Affairs Transport Program

Under the Repatriation Transport Scheme, the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) arranges transport and pays for travelling / accommodation expenses (under certain circumstances) for eligible people who hold a Repatriation Health Care Card (Gold or White).  Please telephone 1800 555 254 for further details.

Companion Card

The Companion Card is for people with a significant permanent disability, who need a companion to provide attendant care-type support in order to participate at most community venues and activities.  Eligibility also includes people whose disability is related to age, psychiatric illness, etc.  Attendant care-type support includes: significant assistance with mobility, communication, self-care or learning, planning / thinking, and where the use of aids, equipment or alternative strategies do not enable the person to carry out these tasks independently.  The state government has extended the Companion Card benefits to include free travel on Victorian public transport services for the companion / carer of an eligible cardholder.  The Companion Card is accepted on all public transport services that operate within Victoria including V/Line bus and train services and tram services as well.  Only the companion is entitled for free travel.  The card must be presented when booking or purchasing a ticket for transport.  There are no income or assets tests applied to the application for a Companion Card.   for more information and/or an application form, please click on the following link  -  Companion Card.  Alternatively, you can telephone 1800 650 611 for further details.