Frequently asked questions about taxis
1.
How do you know how much my ride will cost?
Workbridge asks the taxi company to quote the cost of a ride for travel between two
nominated places at a particular time of the day.
2.
Can I use any taxi company I want?
Workbridge has arrangements with certain taxi companies who understand the needs
of people who have a disability and who are willing to assist people to manage their
travel. These are the companies that Workbridge has an account with. If you use a
taxi company that is different to the one Workbridge has asked you to use you may
need to pay for the fare yourself.
3.
Can I take friends with me in the taxi paid by Support Funds?
Yes you can every now and then. However if you were providing taxis for your
friends or workmates all the time, then we will need to talk to you about sharing the
cost of each taxi ride with your friends or work colleagues.
4.
I’m going on holiday and won’t need any taxis for a few days. Can I let my
friend use the taxis for those days?
The Support Fund approval is for you and you only. If someone other than you uses
your taxi approval we may ask you to reimburse the cost of those rides to the
Support Fund.
5.
Can I stop off (for example) at the doctors or childcare centre on my way to
work?
The cost of your trip has been agreed with the taxi provider. If you stop somewhere,
or go a different way to work or home, then you may be asked by the taxi driver to
pay any additional costs. Remember that this may also mean that your Support
Funds will not last for the full period of the approval.
6.
What if I want to use a taxi company that if different from the one I have
been asked to use?
Talk to us about your reasons for preferring another taxi company. If your preferred
taxi company has a service that you need that is not supplied, or could not be
supplied by the Support Funds preferred taxis, we may be able to make an exception
for you.
7.
What happens if the taxi driver asks me for money as well as charging
Support Funds for a taxi ride?
a)
If you are going directly between the addresses shown on the approval
letter.
The cost of each taxi ride has been agreed with the taxi provider in advance.
This means that they can charge you less but they cannot charge you more than
the agreed price of the ride.
b)
If you have gone somewhere else or have asked the taxi driver to stop to
drop off or pick up something or someone.
If you go somewhere other than directly between the places shown on the letter,
and the taxi driver asks you for more money then you will have to pay the extra
cost. Support Funds only pays for direct travel between the two identified points
in your approval letter.
Workbridge Support Funds Central Processing Unit, P O Box 30-341 Lower Hutt 5040
0508 WORKBRIDGE (0508-967-527) Fax 04-9136-451, [email protected]
Free fax for Deaf 0800 080 715
Workbridge administers the Support Funds under contract to the Ministry of Social Development
Frequently asked questions about taxis
8.
Why doesn’t the Support Fund pay all my transport costs?
Support Funds can only be used to pay for disability related costs. Everyone who
has to get to work has some costs – these are called standard cost of travel. When
your application was considered the amount of the standard cost of travel was
deducted from the weekly cost of taxis.
9.
How does Workbridge know where the taxi takes me? If it doesn’t cost any
more, then it shouldn’t matter where I go, should it?
Each month the taxi company sends Workbridge a print-out of all the taxi rides you
have used a Support Funds voucher for. The print-out shows the start and end place
of each ride. (The taxi company can also give Workbridge a description of the route
taken for any journey). Workbridge checks this print-out each month before
approving the account for payment. If the Support Funds taxis are used to go
somewhere other than the places on your approval letter, Workbridge may ask you
to pay for that ride.
10. What if I have run out of Support Funds and my next application isn’t due
for a while?
There are three main reasons why you might have run out of Support Funds.
a)
You have used more taxi rides per week than were approved.
Support Funds may not be able to supply you with any further transport
assistance until your next application is due. (Ask for a ‘Manage your Taxis’
sheet to see if it will help you keep on track).
b)


c)

The journeys you have taken are different to the journey that was
approved.
If this has happened because your workplace has changed and you haven’t told
us, you may need to pay for your taxis until a new application is approved.
If this has happened because you have been travelling outside the approved
route (for example to the shops on the way home, or the childcare centre on
the way to work or study), you may need to pay for your own transport until
your next application is due.
You haven’t been presenting your Total Mobility TM card.
The quoted cost of your taxi fare has included the TM discount. If you do not
use your TM card you may need to pay the extra cost above the quoted fare.
It is very important that you tell us as soon as you think that your
travel needs might be changing.
Would you like to add a question to this list?
Email us:
[email protected]
Workbridge Support Funds Central Processing Unit, P O Box 30-341 Lower Hutt 5040
0508 WORKBRIDGE (0508-967-527) Fax 04-9136-451, [email protected]
Free fax for Deaf 0800 080 715
Workbridge administers the Support Funds under contract to the Ministry of Social Development
Frequently asked questions about taxi vouchers
1.
How do I get the vouchers?
Workbridge will arrange for vouchers to be sent to you. It usually takes two or three
days to get the first book of vouchers delivered to you from the taxi company and
then about 5 working days each time you need to re-order the vouchers.
2.
How many vouchers do I get at a time?
Some people might like to get two or three months supply at a time while other
people might prefer smaller numbers more frequently. It will also depend a lot on
how many vouchers you are likely to use in a week and, for a very small number of
people, on whether you have been able to manage your taxi use in the past. We will
talk to you about how many vouchers would best suit your situation.
3.
I’m running out of vouchers – how do I get some more?
Contact the Workbridge CPU – details on next page – and they will order you more
vouchers. Please contact the CPU to order your next book of vouchers at least a
week before you run out.
4.
What if I lose the vouchers or if the vouchers are stolen?
If you lose your vouchers, or if your vouchers are stolen, please tell us immediately.
We may be able to get the vouchers cancelled and give you some replacements.
If you don’t tell us or if you leave it too late and someone else uses them, your
Support Funds will probably need to pay for the rides used by the person who has
stolen or found your vouchers and you will need to pay for taxi rides if your funding
runs out. **Your taxi vouchers are like cash – look after them. Only take the
number of vouchers with you that you need in any one day.
5.
What happens if I forget to take a voucher with me for the ride?
If you forget to take a voucher with you then the driver will write up an ‘in cab’
voucher that you will have to sign. You will need to let Workbridge know if this has
happened as it may affect the amount of funds that you have available for your
travel.
6.
What if I want to use a taxi company that doesn’t accept Support Funds taxi
vouchers?
Talk to us about your reasons for preferring another taxi company. If your preferred
taxi company has a service that you need that is not or could not be supplied by the
Support Funds preferred taxis, we may be able to make an exception for you.
It is very important that you tell us as soon as you think that your
travel needs might be changing.
Would you like to add a question to this list?
Email us:
[email protected]
Workbridge Support Funds Central Processing Unit, P O Box 30-341 Lower Hutt 5040
0508 WORKBRIDGE (0508-967-527) Fax 04-9136-451, [email protected]
Free fax for Deaf 0800 080 715
Workbridge administers the Support Funds under contract to the Ministry of Social Development
Taxi voucher re-order form
1. Enter the address you wish to have your vouchers couriered to:
(Note – there must be someone available to accept your vouchers)
known as Last name or C/- name:
Address 1
Address 2
Address 3
Address 4
Telephone number (daytime)
2. Special instructions
3. Your signature
Order Taxi Vouchers through the Workbridge CPU
Allow 5 working days for your vouchers to be delivered
You can phone us – quote Text10/Text11/Text12/Text13
Phone
0508 WORKBRIDGE (0508-967-527)
You can fax or scan us this order form
Fax
Scan
04-9136-451
[email protected]
Workbridge Support Funds Central Processing Unit, P O Box 30-341 Lower Hutt 5040
0508 WORKBRIDGE (0508-967-527) Fax 04-9136-451, [email protected]
Free fax for Deaf 0800 080 715
Workbridge administers the Support Funds under contract to the Ministry of Social Development