What you need to know
The Total Mobility Scheme is intended to complement public transport services and ensure people with impairments can meet their daily needs in a safe and dignified manner. It is open to people with a permanent, temporary or fluctuating disability that prevents them from travelling on buses, trains or ferries, or getting to or from where the public transport starts or ends. It also provides funding assistance to purchase and install wheelchair hoists in taxi vans. The scheme has no minimum fare threshold. A 50% discount applies until a maximum subsidy is reached. The maximum subsidy varies between regions.
A review of the Total Mobility Scheme is currently underway. You can read the Terms of Reference here.
The work to date
Scheme to be reviewed
In November 2019, the Minister for Disability Issues launched the Disability Action Plan 2019–2023, which replaces the previous Disability Action Plan 2014–2018.
Scheme reviewed and consulted on
In March 2002 Cabinet agreed to a review of the scheme, which Transfund New Zealand carried out later in 2002 as part of the Passenger Transport Social Services Review.
Scheme established
The scheme’s goal was to increase mobility for people with serious mobility constraints, encourage participation in society, provide for personal independence, reduce pressure on caregivers and allow people to continue to live for longer in their own homes.
Get in touch
Contact Waka Kotahi for more information about the Total Mobility Scheme.
You can also contact your local regional council.