What is Total Mobility? How does it assist? What if I lose my card? What is not covered by the scheme?
What is Total Mobility?
Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme aimed to assist people with impairments to become more mobile and active in the community. This help is given in the form of subsidized door-to-door transport operators such as taxis or companion driving services. This reduces the travel cost for people with an impairment that may prevent them from using public transport in a safe and dignified manner. In the absence of train or ferry services in Taranaki ‘public transport’ refers to bus transport only.
How does the scheme assist people with disabilities to participate in community life?
Wherever you need to go — to appointments, the shops, to work or to visit a friend, Total Mobility makes it easier for you to participate in your community. It does this by subsidizing the cost of your fare, saving you up to half the cost of a normal fare.
Every time you make a one-way trip your ID swipe card is swiped by the driver through a card reader. This electronically records your details and the details of your trip.
For each one-way trip you make your trip is subsidized by 50% up to a maximum subsidy of $20 (50% of a $40 fare), with you paying the remaining portion of the fare.
What if I lose my card?
Contact the Total Mobility team on 0800 868 662 for assistance if you lose your card. Until you get a replacement card, you will have to pay the full fare.
What is not covered by the scheme?
Total Mobility is not intended to be a substitute for transport services that are the responsibility of:
- Other government agencies such as the Ministry of Education, which is responsible for school-related travel.
- Rest home-providers (or be used by the rest home to provide transport for organised activities).
- While your card can be used to get you to and from work, any travel during the course of your work is the responsibility of your employer and your swipe card cannot be used.