Key Takeaways:
- The New Zealand Government has announced a cut to subsidies for the Total Mobility scheme, which provides discounted taxi trips for disabled and older New Zealanders.
- The subsidy will drop from 75% to 65% from July 1, 2026, and regional fare caps will be lowered by around 10%.
- The changes are intended to stabilize the scheme and ensure its financial sustainability, but have been criticized by disability advocates and the opposition Labour party.
- The Government is also consulting on further changes to the scheme, including trip caps, stricter eligibility assessments, and expanding service providers to include ride-hailing apps and on-demand public transport.
Introduction to the Total Mobility Scheme
The Total Mobility scheme is a vital service for over 120,000 disabled and older New Zealanders, providing subsidized taxi fares for those who cannot use public transport independently. However, the scheme is facing significant funding pressures due to rising demand and costs. In response, the Government has announced a cut to subsidies, which will see the subsidy level drop from 75% to 65% from July 1, 2026. Regional fare caps will also be lowered by around 10%. Transport Minister Chris Bishop stated that the changes are necessary to ensure the scheme’s financial sustainability, as the current subsidy level is unsustainable and has led to a significant increase in demand.
Impact on Disabled and Older New Zealanders
The subsidy cut is expected to have a significant impact on disabled and older New Zealanders, who will have to pay more for discounted taxi trips. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston acknowledged that the changes would mean fares would increase for Total Mobility users, but argued that the new subsidy level would still be higher than what it was four years ago. However, disability advocates and the opposition Labour party have criticized the changes, arguing that they will make life harder and more expensive for disabled New Zealanders. Disabled Persons Assembly chief executive Mojo Mathers stated that the cut to Total Mobility would only aggravate hardship in an already struggling population, and that disabled people would face impossible choices when it comes to travel.
Proposed Changes to the Scheme
In addition to the subsidy cut, the Ministry of Transport has released a discussion document outlining proposed changes to the Total Mobility scheme. These include trip caps, stricter eligibility assessments, and expanding service providers to include ride-hailing apps and on-demand public transport. The proposals aim to strengthen the scheme and ensure fairer, consistent, and more sustainable access to services for people with the greatest need. The ministry is seeking feedback on the proposals, which include two options for trip caps, tighter eligibility requirements, and periodic reassessments. The proposals also aim to improve wheelchair accessibility by providing more incentives for service providers to install ramps and hoists in vehicles.
Reaction from Disability Advocates and the Opposition
The subsidy cut and proposed changes to the Total Mobility scheme have been met with criticism from disability advocates and the opposition Labour party. Labour disability issues spokesperson Priyanca Radhakrishnan stated that the Government was making life harder and more expensive for disabled New Zealanders, and that the changes would take away the independence and dignity that affordable transport provides. Disability advocates have also expressed concerns that the changes will have a disproportionate impact on disabled people, who already face significant barriers to accessing transport and participating in everyday life.
Conclusion
The changes to the Total Mobility scheme are intended to stabilize the scheme and ensure its financial sustainability, but have been criticized by disability advocates and the opposition Labour party. The subsidy cut and proposed changes to the scheme will have a significant impact on disabled and older New Zealanders, who will have to pay more for discounted taxi trips. The Government must carefully consider the feedback from the consultation process and ensure that any changes to the scheme prioritize the needs and well-being of disabled people. Ultimately, the goal of the Total Mobility scheme should be to provide fair, consistent, and sustainable access to transport for people with disabilities, and any changes should be made with this goal in mind.