Proposals to strengthen Total Mobility

We want to strengthen the Total Mobility scheme to make it better for the people who use it and those who fund it.

We want to hear your thoughts on six proposals. The Discussion document sets out the proposals.

Consultation materials are available in alternate formats. These are provided at the end of this page.

Consultation is open until 22 March 2026.

What is Total Mobility?

The Total Mobility scheme helps people with long-term impairments travel when they cannot use public transport on their own. It pays part of the cost for taxis and sometimes other transport, making it easier for users to meet daily needs and take part in their community.

Why are you reviewing Total Mobility?

The Government will keep funding Total Mobility, but as demand grows, we need to make sure the scheme reaches those who need it most. The review will look at short-term improvements and possible longer-term changes, keeping in mind funding is limited.

We are proposing to:

• clarify Total Mobility's purpose and make eligibility assessments more consistent. We don't want to change who can get Total Mobility, but we want a clearer purpose statement and to strengthen the process to enter the scheme – strengthening evidence requirements and more regular checks that people still qualify for the scheme.
• introduce more targeted support allocations for Total Mobility. This includes ways to incentivise more wheelchair accessible trips and options to limit the number of subsidised trips a user can take, whether that's the same number of subsidised trips for everyone, or a lower initial subsidised trips that is increased depending on individual need.
• promote innovation in how Total Mobility is delivered. This includes enabling new types of providers to enter the scheme, such as ride-hail services like Uber and other forms of transport to meet the needs of Total Mobility users. We're still seeking feedback on what is needed to make sure new types of providers are still safe and accessible for Total Mobility users. We're also seeking feedback on introducing a national public transport concession for people with disabilities.

Provide feedback

We welcome your feedback and comments on the proposals in the Total Mobility Discussion document.

Anyone can give feedback. You can provide feedback on behalf of yourself, another individual, a group, or an organisation. There are several ways you can provide feedback:

• You can provide feedback through an online survey hosted on Accessible Surveys – this survey will allow you to provide feedback in accessible formats (please note, not all accessible formats will be available until January 2026). Take the survey here: Proposals to strengthen Total Mobility (accessiblesurveys.com)
• If you would like to provide feedback using the NZSL form, take the survey here: Proposals to strengthen Total Mobility - NZSL version (accessiblesurveys.com) 
• You can also provide written feedback to us by filling in the feedback form, which can either be emailed to us at totalmobilityreview@transport.govt.nz or posted to:
  
  Total Mobility Consultation
  Ministry of Transport
  PO Box 3175
  Wellington 6140

NZSL summary of Discussion document

Read the Total Mobility Discussion document

• Discussion document (PDF)
• Discussion document (DOCX)
• Feedback form (PDF)
• Feedback form (DOCX)

Large Print:

• Discussion document
• Summary of the Discussion document
• Feedback form (DOCX)

Braille

• Discussion document
• Summary of the Discussion document

Audio

• Discussion document
• Summary of the Discussion document

Easy Read

• Summary of the Total Mobility consultation (PDF)
• Summary of the Total Mobility consultation (DOCX)
• Feedback form (PDF)
• Feedback form (DOCX)

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