The Total Mobility scheme pays some of the cost – up to half, depending where you live – of getting taxis or special mobility transport for door-to-door transport. The scheme is run by regional councils and is funded by councils and the central government. The scheme is for people with long-term impairments and is there to help meet their daily needs and help them participate in their communities.
The Total Mobility scheme provides you with vouchers or electronic cards that pay some of the cost (up to half) of the normal fares. The level of the subsidy is set by the relevant regional council (or by Auckland Transport in the Auckland region).
Not all taxi companies will necessarily honour your electronic card or vouchers, so you should check with the transport company about this when you book your trip with them.
There is an appeals process if you are turned down for the Total Mobility scheme, but you believe you qualify for it.
For more information about the Total Mobility scheme, go to www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/total-mobility-scheme
As an example, here’s how the Total Mobility scheme works in Wellington:
Taxi companies like Wellington Combined Taxis, Hutt and City Taxis, Porirua Taxis and Kiwi Cabs participate in the scheme, as well as some specialist operators like Driving Miss Daisy.
Most of the participating operators have wheelchair hoists.
The scheme pays half of the fare, up to a maximum subsidy of $40.