A WODONGA quadriplegic and the member for Murray Valley want the Victorian Government to increase the caps on subsidised taxi fares for disabled people.
Jason Ballerini said the cap on the Multi-Purpose Taxi Program could limit people's independence, while Ken Jasper said it didn't meet the increased travelling costs country residents faced.
The program, for Victorians with a severe and permanent disability, subsidises members with half-price taxi fares up to a total of $30 per trip.
Members can claim up to $1045 per year.
Mr Jasper called for the per trip subsidy to be increased to $50 and for the annual cap to be at least tripled.
"The subsidy barely covers one taxi trip per week for many Murray Valley residents," Mr Jasper said.
"Many residents often need one trip per week for medical purposes, another for shopping and another for social or recreational activities or to catch up with family and friends."
Mr Jasper said country residents had limited other public transport options and their taxi trips were often a lot further and more expensive than their metropolitan counterparts.
"The special needs of country taxi program users must be considered," he said.
Mr Jasper said he would highlight his concerns to Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky in Parliament.
Mr Ballerini, a quadriplegic since 1996 and acting manager at Wodonga's Disability Advocacy and Information Service, said the caps needed to be increased.
He said at least 30 clients of the service were program members and many took multiple taxi trips a week.
"Clients study at TAFE or university two or three days a week so that's six trips a week," Mr Ballerini said.
"When you add that up over a year that $1045 racks up quickly.
"It's about independence and having a choice.
"If you're a disabled person and you've used the taxi cap of $1045 you might have to think twice about taking your next trip."
Many clients travelled from areas such as Beechworth and Rutherglen and the per trip cap of $30 was often reached which could put a strain on people's finances.
"Most people who have a taxi card are on a disability pension or limited income," Mr Ballerini said.
He also called for a regular account showing how much of the subsidy had been used.
A spokesperson for acting Public Transport Minister Tim Pallas said the Victorian Government was reviewing the arrangements for wheelchair accessible taxis and the Multi-Purpose Taxi Program with the aim of improving the standard of service.