We, the undersigned, call on Scope to immediately halt the sale of disability transport buses and reverse its decision to withdraw accessible transport from supported accommodation residents.
The removal of these buses represents a significant reduction in essential supports for people with disability, stripping away a service that many rely on every day to attend medical appointments, access community activities, go shopping, maintain social connections, and live with dignity and independence.
For residents with complex mobility, communication, behavioural, or support needs, accessible buses are not optional — they are critical. Replacing reliable, familiar transport with taxis, rideshare services, or public transport places an unfair burden on residents and families, while creating confusion, stress, and serious barriers to participation.
Many residents will face increased isolation, missed appointments, reduced access to their communities, and heightened risks to their wellbeing as a result of this change to put it simply - it is heartless.
Families, people with disability, disability support workers, advocates and community members are not copping it.
Scope’s decision shifts responsibility for transport onto individuals, despite major inconsistencies in funding, accessibility, reliability, and availability. Public transport is not accessible or practical for everyone, and taxis are often unpredictable, unsuitable, or unable to meet the needs of people requiring specialised supports. The withdrawal of buses risks creating a two-tiered system where only those with sufficient funding or informal supports can maintain the same quality of life.
We urge Scope and the Victorian State government to prioritise dignity, safety, accessibility, and genuine inclusion by retaining disability transport buses and guaranteeing equitable, reliable transport for all supported accommodation residents.
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