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Policy

The Total Mobility Scheme
Version 3.04 Published 26/08/2025 Web Page https://eng.dunz.org.nz/campaigns/transport/total-mobility/

Status

This is a working draft. The workshop is yet to happen.

Definition

The Total Mobility Scheme provides subsidised licensed taxi services for people of all ages who cannot use buses, trains or ferries because they have a physical, intellectual, psychological, sensory or neurological disability.

Problem

The usage of Total Mobility by disabled people is rapidly increasing, and local councils are unable to pay the increasing subsidy costs. The government appears to be wanting to go back to the 50% subsidy which would be a disaster for disabled people having to pay 50% of the fares.

Solution

• Total Mobility Users pay 25% of the ride fare. The remaining 75% paid by the central, regional and local governments.
• Total Mobility Smart Cards issued to users. The cards can be used nationwide with personalised trip limits based on assessed need which may change over time.
• Each local Total Mobility committee publishes a newsletter.
• Regular statistics published on monthly usage, costs, cards issued, service providers, etc.

Proposed KPI

• Total Mobility Cards
• Total Mobility Cards by Region
• Average Trips/month
• Average Trips/month by Region
• Total Wheelchair Hoists
• Total Wheelchair Hoists by Region
• Average age of Mobility Vans
• Total Annual grants spent on hoists
• Registered Total Mobility Operators
• Registered Total Mobility Operators by Region
• A measure of trip capacity vs demand (peaks and troughs)

Context

• Transport
  • Aircraft
  • Buses
  • Ferries
  • Mobility Scooters
  • Total Mobility
    • Total Mobility Cards
  • Trains
  • Walkers
  • Wheelchairs

Discussion

Issues

• Total Mobility usage has grown so much due to the needs of the users and the freedom it allows the disabled. The Total Mobility Scheme is in crisis, mainly due to budget overruns, high usage, and misuse.

Invercargill Council Total Mobility Budget

• ICC has overspent their Total Mobility Budget by approx $809,000.
• The GOVT does not want and will not bail them out.
• The ratepayers and citizens of Invercargill will not pay for the overspend.

Questions to ask ICC

• Ask the Council how and why an overspend occurred.
• What checks and balances are in place to ensure another overspend does not occur, who is responsible for the overspend happening, and why are the Driver services not being held to account for abuses of the Total Mobility Scheme?
• Who is auditing the Total Mobility Scheme in Invercargill?
• Not all Councils want the 75% rate lowered. What evidence has been presented to suggest that the councils want the rate to be dropped, and why?