MPTP Fare Rules and Eligible Extras

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Overview

All MPTP trips in Victoria must comply with the fare rules set by Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV) under Safe Transport Victoria. This page defines the eligible extras that may be included in the fare submitted to CabFare Connect at trip end, and the key rules that govern how fares and subsidies are calculated and charged.

The MPTP Subsidy

• The MPTP subsidy is paid by STV at 50 per cent of the total price charged to the passenger
• The subsidy is capped at $60 per trip
• The yearly subsidy cap for non-exempt members is $2,180

Eligible Extras

The total fare submitted to CabFare Connect at trip end may include the base fare plus any of the following extras that relate to the provision of a commercial passenger vehicle trip:

Extra	Notes
Booking fee
Flagfall
Fare	Base metered fare
Levy recovery charges
Late night or holiday fees
Tolls
Airport charges
High occupancy vehicle (HOV) charges	Only applicable for five or more passengers including wheelchair users. Cannot be applied where the passenger requests a larger vehicle solely due to wheelchair use

Any fee not related to the provision of a commercial passenger vehicle trip — for example cleaning fees or tips — must only be applied to the member's portion of the fare after the MPTP subsidy has been applied.

Key Fare Rules

Discounts
Any discounts applied by the service provider must be applied before the MPTP subsidy is applied.

Non-cash payment surcharges
If a non-cash payment surcharge applies — for example when a passenger pays by credit, debit, or charge card — it must only be applied to the member's portion of the fare after the MPTP subsidy has been applied.

Maximum fares
If the trip is unbooked and commences in metropolitan Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Ballarat, or Bendigo, the fare must not exceed the maximum fare determined by the Essential Services Commission. Refer to the STV website for current maximum fare information.

Fare calculation device
The fare calculation device must be switched on and operating for the full duration of the trip. It must not be operating for items not related to the provision of a commercial passenger vehicle trip, such as carrying parcels or assisting with shopping.

For wheelchair accessible trips:

• The fare calculation device must not be started until after a wheelchair passenger has been loaded if a lifting fee will be received
• The fare calculation device must be stopped before unloading a wheelchair passenger if a lifting fee will be received

Lifting Fees

Lifting fees are additional fees paid by STV to drivers for providing accessible transport services to eligible MPTP wheelchair card holders.

Eligibility rules:

• All trips in a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) to an MPTP member travelling in a wheelchair using an MPTP wheelchair card are eligible for a lifting fee
• All trips in a non-WAV commercial passenger vehicle to an MPTP member travelling in a wheelchair using an MPTP wheelchair card are eligible for a partial lifting fee
• One lifting fee may be claimed for each MPTP member who uses an MPTP wheelchair card and is present during the trip

Critical rule — drivers must never directly charge a lifting fee to a wheelchair passenger. Lifting fees are automatically applied to the trip by STV via CabFare Connect. Directly charging a lifting fee to a wheelchair passenger may breach the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic.).

Shared Rides

A shared ride is where two or more MPTP members are picked up from one or multiple destinations and dropped at one or multiple destinations. For shared rides:

• At least one MPTP member must always be travelling in the vehicle for the subsidy to be payable
• Any extras that apply to the trip must only be applied once
• If multiple MPTP wheelchair members are dropped at one or more destinations, a lifting fee may be claimed for each member

Multiple MPTP Member Cards

CabFare Connect supports multiple MPTP member cards within a single trip. Only the first card submitted is used to process the MPTP subsidy payment. Additional cards are validated and recorded for lifting fee purposes only.

To claim an additional lifting fee for each subsequent wheelchair member, the Taxi Meter must start and immediately stop the fare calculation device and process the additional MPTP wheelchair member's card without charging them a fare.

Processing Rules

• The fare charged to an MPTP member must be processed using an approved MPTP payment terminal at the conclusion of the trip
• A subsidised fare must not be processed for a member whose MPTP card has been rejected as expired or cancelled
• The MPTP member's card must be returned to the member or their carer immediately after the fare is processed