Key Takeaways
- The Total Mobility scheme’s transport subsidy for disabled and elderly New Zealanders will fall from 75 % to 65 % in July, raising out‑of‑pocket costs for taxi users.
- Milton Paul, a vision‑impaired Auckland worker who relies on taxis to commute, says the cut will add roughly $300 weekly to his expenses and may force him to relocate closer to his job or forego other essential trips.
- Disability advocates Blake Forbes and Nick Ruane warn the reduction will compel many to choose between basic needs such as food, medical appointments, and employment, exacerbating already high unemployment and low incomes among disabled people.
- Andrea Midgen of Blind Low Vision notes that most blind and low‑vision earners live on $20,000–$40,000 a year; any additional transport cost pushes them toward staying home more often.
- Advocates are urging the upcoming Budget to restore or increase transport and housing support to ensure disabled New Zealanders can participate fully in society.
Background of the Total Mobility Scheme
The Total Mobility programme provides subsidised taxi travel for people who cannot use conventional public transport due to age, disability, or mobility limitations. Currently the government covers 75 % of each qualifying trip, with users paying the remaining 25 %. From July 1 the subsidy will be reduced to 65 %, shifting a larger share of the cost onto participants. Over 120,000 elderly and disabled New Zealanders depend on the scheme, making the change a significant financial pressure point for a vulnerable segment of the population.
Milton Paul’s Personal Experience
Milton Paul, who is blind in one eye and vision‑impaired in the other with no depth perception, lives in Massey (west Auckland) and works in Homai (south Auckland). Because navigating buses and trains is unsafe and unreliable for him, he relies on early‑morning taxis to avoid traffic congestion. He estimates that ten weekly taxi trips currently cost him about $300 out‑of‑pocket, with the remainder covered by the Total Mobility subsidy. The forthcoming 10 % cut will increase his personal contribution substantially, potentially adding hundreds of dollars each month to his budget.
Financial Strain and Possible Relocation
Paul describes the subsidy reduction as “kind of caught me off guard” and warns that the extra expense will force him to make difficult choices. He may need to cut discretionary spending, or—more dramatically—consider moving house to a location nearer his workplace to reduce travel distance and cost. Relocating, however, presents its own challenges, including finding accessible, affordable housing and the upheaval of leaving a familiar community. The prospect of living “pay cheque to pay cheque” or needing a second income underscores how precarious his financial situation has become.
Broader Impact on the Disabled Community
Disability advocate Blake Forbes echoes Paul’s concerns, arguing that the subsidy cut will push many disabled people to choose between essentials such as food, healthcare, and the ability to get to work. Forbes notes that disabled New Zealanders already face one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, and any additional barrier to employment could worsen economic exclusion. He predicts that individuals will begin “picking and choosing” which trips they can afford, likely limiting themselves to local errands and spacing out necessary engagements like medical visits or speaking commitments.
Advocacy Efforts and Eligibility Concerns
Forbes is collaborating with fellow advocate Nick Ruane to lobby for stronger support for the disability community. Both are wary of an ongoing review of eligibility criteria for the Total Mobility scheme, fearing that stricter rules could lock out people who genuinely need the service. Ruane emphasizes that the stark reality is that many disabled individuals spend hundreds of dollars each week on taxis simply because public transport remains inaccessible. He believes the general public would be shocked by these figures, yet they are routine for those reliant on subsidised taxi travel.
Income Levels Among Blind and Low‑Vision Earners
According to Blind Low Vision NZ, about 60 % of people with blindness or low vision earn annual incomes between $20,000 and $40,000. For this group, transport costs already represent a significant portion of their limited budgets. Andrea Midgen, the organisation’s chief executive, warns that the anticipated increase in out‑of‑pocket taxi expenses will likely cause more individuals to stay home, reducing their participation in work, social activities, and essential services. She stresses that any further financial hit compounds the difficulties faced by a community already striving to survive on modest benefits or low wages.
Calls for Government Action in the Upcoming Budget
Both Paul and Midgen urge the government to use the forthcoming Budget to restore or enhance transport and housing support for disabled New Zealanders. Paul questions why the disability sector appears to be singled out for cuts at a time when many already live on tight margins, arguing that the sector’s needs are “well needed” given the systemic disadvantages faced by low‑vision citizens. Midgen adds that the community deserves the tools to obtain employment, reach workplaces, and live in accessible housing—supports that enable full societal participation rather than mere survival.
Conclusion: A Looming Choice Between Essentials
The reduction of the Total Mobility subsidy from 75 % to 65 % threatens to tip the financial balance for thousands of disabled and elderly New Zealanders who rely on subsidised taxis to navigate daily life. Personal accounts like Milton Paul’s illustrate how a seemingly modest percentage increase can translate into unaffordable weekly expenses, prompting considerations of relocation or the sacrifice of other necessities. Advocates warn that without immediate governmental intervention—whether through reinstated subsidies, targeted housing assistance, or broader employment supports—the disabled community will face heightened hardship, deeper isolation, and diminished opportunities to contribute to and benefit from society. The upcoming Budget presents a critical opportunity to address these challenges and affirm the right of all citizens to move freely, work productively, and live with dignity.