Ranking the Total Mobility Scheme proposals from worst to best(ish)

Just before Christmas, as we were all beginning to wind down for the year, the Ministry of Transport shared a major update on the Total Mobility Scheme review. This review started more than two years ago, and while I would’ve liked to jump right into the kōrero after such a long wait for news, I — like many people — was about to turn on my out-of-office. There was some news coverage and commentary from the disabled community but the announcement was largely lost in the busyness of the holidays.

Over the break, I was in a minor car crash which damaged my modified car, and the Total Mobility Scheme crossed my mind again. The scheme enables reduced taxi fares for people with “long-term impairments” (Waka Kotahi’s phrasing). I haven’t used public transport and taxis in a while, but it got me thinking about how I would rely on the Total Mobility Scheme if my car was written off. What would these changes mean for our community?

So if you missed all the Total Mobility review updates due to the end-of-year scramble, here’s a quick explainer on what changes the Government has already decided to implement. To spice things up, we’ve also ranked and given our hot takes on the six proposals the Ministry of Transport are still considering. Skip to the end if you want to learn how you can provide feedback before March this year.

Review and changes

The Ministry of Transport began reviewing the Total Mobility Scheme back in September 2023. With an increase in the number of users, the aim of the review was to evaluate the purpose of the scheme, look at how it can be improved and made more accessible to disabled people, and ensure it can be “sustainably funded”. TLDR; more people are using it, which is increasing the cost, and it’s becoming more expensive for the Government and local councils to run.

After more than two-and-a-half years reviewing the scheme, the agency has decided to implement the following changes from 1 July 2026:

• The subsidy a Total Mobility user will receive for trips will reduce from 75% to 65%. This will mean Total Mobility users go from paying 25% of the fare to 35%. What this means: If you’re taking a trip that costs $40 on the taxi meter, you will currently pay $10. But after 1 July 2026 you will pay $14.
• Regional fare caps - which vary across the country - will also reduce by around 10% nationally. For Total Mobility users, this will mean they have to pay more for fares that are over the cap. What this means: Regional fare caps vary across the motu. The current fare cap in Tāmaki Makaurau is $80, but only up to $45 in Whangārei. After this change, you’d only get your subsidy on up to $54 in Tāmaki and $40.50 in Whangārei.

The proposals, ranked

As part of the Ministry of Transport’s review, they are considering six further proposals, which are open to public consultation from the community until 22 March 2026. The agency states that the following proposals are to “focus on strengthening the scheme” in the long-term. This is what I reckon about the ideas on the table. 

#6 (the worst): Introduce caps on trips based on level of need and circumstances

Their explanation: Due to the increase in Total Mobility users and the current funding being “not sustainable”, the Ministry of Transport is proposing capping the number of trips for users. It is proposing two options on what this could look like. The first option is to introduce a flat cap for all Total Mobility users where you would be allocated a certain number of trips per month at the subsidy rate. An adjustment to this could be a smaller subsidy if people go above their allocation of trips.

The other option is to allow a set number of subsidised trips, with additional subsidised trips as long as they fit into certain categories. This base number would be a very low trip cap and allow less flexibility. If you want additional subsidised trips, they must fall into the following categories: employment, health, education, community participating and employment services and “other”. 

Olivia’s hot take: This proposal comes in last place because it is the most tough proposal: limiting the number of rides and restricting our freedom. It also sounds like a nightmare having to count and remember the number of trips you’ve done each month. We already have to ‘prove’ why we need the scheme in the first place, imagine having to give a reason of “intended use” every time you go somewhere. 

#5: Make the Total Mobility assessment fairer and more consistent

Their explanation: The Ministry of Transport is not planning to change the current eligibility criteria but are proposing to add new requirements to the assessment process, such as a medical certificate, or a report from an occupational therapist or psychologist. The agency is also considering periodic reassessments to keep receiving Total Mobility support, although it doesn’t say how often these would be. It does admit introducing these changes would mean “more time and administration for Total Mobility users”.

Olivia’s hot take: When I got my assessment done in 2023, I didn’t need to show proof of my disability. Although my disability is visibly obvious because I use a wheelchair, I was not required to provide a medical certificate at my appointment with my local assessment agency. So while the Ministry of Transport might want to ensure only people with diagnosed long-term impairments use it, we know that experiences of disability are more than an official medical certificate. And don’t get us started on having repetitive assessments to prove you’re still disabled… 

#4: Set a clear purpose statement

Their explanation: Waka Kotahi (NZTA) currently defines Total Mobility as a scheme to: “assist eligible people, with long term impairments to access appropriate transport to meet their daily needs and enhance their community participation.” 

The Ministry of Transport wants to clarify this statement so “funding could be more targeted to disabled people who rely on Total Mobility the most” and as result help strengthen the assessment process. It is then proposing the following new purpose for Total Mobility: “to provide subsidised mobility services to disabled people who are unable to access public transport because of an impairment, to support them to live their lives”.

Olivia’s hot take: Currently around 73% of Total Mobility users are over age 65, according to an OIA from June 2025. With an ageing population, this is likely to increase. If you’re reading between the lines, this proposal could be interpreted as less elderly people being eligible for the scheme and specifically prioritising disabled people. This proposal would be less appealing to elderly people, but beneficial to disabled people. 

#3: Incentivise Total Mobility providers to provide more wheelchair accessible vehicle trips

Their explanation: The Ministry of Transport is exploring options to incentivise more wheelchair accessible trips. While this proposal doesn't have a specific outcome, the agency says it wants “to understand if there are barriers to providing more Total Mobility services in accessible vehicles, and how these could be overcome.”

The Government already contributes some costs to the installation of wheelchair ramps and hoists to some providers and an additional payment to drivers every time they make a trip involving a hoist.

Olivia’s hot take: We know it’s no easy feat trying to get a hoist taxi at short notice, and good luck especially during school drops off hours! So the more mobility vans available on the the roads the better because that means more freedom - especially for people using power wheelchairs - and more competition which will overall lower fares. 

#2: Enabling new Total Mobility service providers to enter the scheme

Their explanation: While the Total Mobility Scheme is mainly delivered through private taxi companies, the Ministry of Transport is proposing to open the scheme to other providers such as ride-hailing services, like Uber. However passenger safety would need to be considered by introducing other providers as well as what apps are used and if they have appropriate systems to process TM cards. 

Olivia’s hot take: Introducing more competition for providers in the scheme may reduce the direct costs for users. The pricing for ride-hailing services like Uber has always been more transparent than private taxi companies, which is also a bonus too. Although Uber doesn’t have an option to hail a mobility van with a hoist, it does offer Uber Assist which is beneficial and opens up more options to some disabled people. We could also see more disabled Uber drivers (or at least their mum or dad driving around their hoist van). 

#1: (the best): Introduce a national public transport concession for people with disabilities

Their explanation: This proposal encourages disabled people to use public transport more by introducing a national concession. Some regional councils already have a public transport subsidy for disabled people, but this is not available in all regions. The Ministry of Transport thinks introducing a national public transport concession would improve the national consistency of transport support available to disabled people and make more efficient use of existing public transport services and focus on Total Mobility users who can't use public transport due to disability. 

Olivia’s hot take: When I’ve travelled overseas, some of my highlights have been the public transport. The MRT in Singapore is *chef’s kiss* - reliable, frequent, cheap and accessible. Just how public transport should be. Encouraging more people to use public transport if it is accessible to them would be great, but only if every city across the motu had a public transport system that was also reliable, frequent, cheap and accessible…

While there might not be one perfect proposal on how to fix or make the Total Mobility Scheme sustainable (in the Ministry of Transport’s opinion), you can have your say and give your own hot takes. There’s no ‘right’ way to say what you think - just make sure your voice is heard. 

The consultation process is open now and you can provide feedback until 22 March 2026 by:

• Making a submission using the online form
• Using the feedback form available online
• Sending the completed form either by email: TotalMobilityReview@transport.govt.nz
  Or post to:
  Total Mobility Consultation
  Ministry of Transport
  PO Box 3175
  Wellington 6140