Accessibility concession

The Accessibility Concession enables eligible people residing in the Waikato to access free transport on all BUSIT services connecting with Hamilton and Te Huia train.

To be eligible, you must have an impairment that means you are unable to drive. This impairment could be physical, intellectual, psychological, sensory or neurological. This could be a permanent disability, or a temporary disability that is likely to last for six months or more. People with a short term disability (less than 6 months) are not eligible for this concession.

There is an in-depth application and approval process, which includes an eligibility assessment carried out by an approved assessor agency (see the list below). Waikato Regional Council will then issue a personalised accessibility Bee Card, which must be tagged on/off the bus to receive free travel.

Accessibility Concession | Terms of Use (PDF, 111KB)

How to use your Accessibility Concession Bee Card

You’ll need to tag on and tag off the bus.

1. Simply tag on when you board the bus.

Hold your Bee Card up to the reader, wait for the beep or until you see “tag on successful” and you’re ready to go.

2. To access free travel for your companion, you'll need to have a Plus One travel companion concession loaded on your card.

Please show the driver your Bee Card. Once they have confirmed you have Plus One travel companion concession loaded on your card, they will process your companion’s fare via the ticket machine. You will not be charged for this.

3. As you leave the bus, tag off with your Bee Card.

Hold your Bee Card up to the reader, wait for the beep or until you see “tag off successful” and you’re ready to go.

The driver can also assist you if required.

This Bee Card is yours, with your name, photo ID and accessibility concession information printed on it. It can only be used by you. You must abide by the BUSIT Code of Conduct.

How to apply for your Accessibility Concession Bee Card

There is an application process, that includes an eligibility assessment, which is conducted by an approved registered assessing agency.

There are two ways to apply

1. Contact an approved assessor agency who will arrange an appointment to complete an application form and undertake an eligibility assessment.

See the list of approved assessor agencies, below. Please expect a small charge for this assessment.

Note: Only approved assessors have access to the application form.

Approved Assessor agency list (PDF, 101 KB)

2. If you are already a Total Mobility user simply call us on 0800 205 305 and we’ll organise an Accessibilty Concession Bee Card to be processed.

The BUSIT team will make contact to arrange collection.

Please allow up to 20 working days for your application to be processed. Once processed you will receive a text or call to inform you that your card is ready to collect. You must collect your new Bee Card in person from the BUSIT counter in the Hamilton Transport Centre. Your primary caregiver may also collect on your behalf.

Once you’ve received your Accessibility Concession Bee Card you’ll benefit from FREE bus travel.

This card is yours, with your name, photo ID and accessibility concession information printed on it. It can only be used by you. You must abide by the BUSIT Code of Conduct.

Free companion travel (PlusOne concession)

‘Plus-one’ applications are available for members of the accessibility concession scheme who require companion assistance to travel by bus or on Te Huia.

This means, once accepted, passengers who are unable to travel independently on public transport will receive free transport for their companion with the 'Plus-one' Accessibility Concession Bee Card.

PLEASE NOTE: Eligibility is assessed upon application for the Accessibility Concession candidate. Legal guardians and official carers can be considered as a companion - dependents of the concession holder are excluded.

If you have an exisiting Accessibility Concession, you will need to be reassessed by an approved disability agency to receive the ‘Plus-one’ companion concession.

Please be mindful of administrative processing time - new applications can take 10-20 business days to be completed.

To check if you are eligible, please get in contact with us – either by calling 0800 205 305, or visting the BUSIT Counter at the Hamilton Transport Centre.

If eligible, we’ll update your Accessibility Concession Bee Card to include free travel for your companion.

Any questions?

Check the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below for more help, or email the BUSIT team busit@waikatoregion.govt.nz

FAQs

There’s an application process for the Accessibility Concession, including an eligibility assessment to be undertaken by an approved assessor agency from the local wellbeing and disability sector. You can make an appointment with your preferred agency, but you may be asked to bring all required documentation and pay an administration fee.

An accessibility concession card will then be issued, and must be shown to the bus driver in order to receive the free travel. Please allow up to 20 business days for this application process to be completed.