BUSIT’s accessibility concession for people with a transport disability is now available. 

**Click here to download and print the Accessibility Concession Application form, and then take it to your GP or participating Disability Agency to complete.**

** Click here to find out how to use your new Accessibility Bee Card.**

The concession means free bus travel on all Hamilton buses, as well as on the 20 Cambridge, 21 Northern Connector, 22 Morrinsville/Paeroa, 23 Raglan and 24 Te Awamutu services. It does not currently include other public transport services within the Waikato region.

The free travel will be available to people who have an impairment that means they are unable to drive. This impairment could be physical, intellectual, psychological, sensory or neurological. 

People with a permanent disability are eligible, as are people with a temporary disability that is likely to last for six months or more. People with a short term disability (less than 6 months) will not be eligible for this concession.

There is an application process, which includes an eligibility assessment carried out by either a disability agency or a GP. The council will then issue a personalised accessibility Bee Card, which must be shown to the bus driver to receive the free travel.


Here is what the new accessibility Bee Card looks like:

There are three ways to apply:

  1. Check with your doctor to see if they will complete your assessment. Print the application form here and take it with you.
  2. Contact a participating disability agency who will set up an appointment with you to fill out the application form and undertake an eligibility assessment. There may be a charge for this assessment. A list of participating agencies is available online at busit.co.nz.  
  3. If you are already a Total Mobility user, simply call 0800 205 305 and the BUSIT team will organise an ID card to be mailed to you.

Waikato is the first region in New Zealand to provide free travel for people with a transport disability, which the regional council voted in favour of last December. 

The concession is also supported by Hamilton City Council and builds on its infrastructure improvement programme, which includes a significant increase in the number of accessible bus stops and shelters being built each year within Hamilton.

For more information about the concession call 0800 205 305, or visit the team at the BUSIT counter inside the Hamilton Transport Centre in Bryce Street.

Free companion travel for eligible accessibility concession users from 1 February

From 1 February, 2021 ‘Plus-one’ applications will be available for members of the BUSIT accessibility concession scheme who require companion assistance to travel by bus.

This means, once accepted, accessibility concession members who are unable to travel independently by bus will receive free transport for their companion.

To check if you are eligible, please get in contact with us – either by ringing 0800 205 305, or coming and seeing us at the Transport Centre counter. You may need to be reassessed by your GP or disability agency to receive the ‘Plus-one’ companion concession.

If eligible, we’ll update your Accessibility Concession Bee Card – you’ll continue to tag on and off the bus as normal, and to receive free travel for your companion simply show your Bee Card to the driver who will process your companion’s fare at no cost.

FAQs about accessibility concession

How do I qualify for the disability concession?

Free travel is available to people who have an impairment, which means they are unable to drive. This impairment could be physical, intellectual, psychological, sensory or neurological. 

What do I have to do to get the free travel?

There’s an application process for the concession, including an eligibility assessment to be undertaken by a disability agency or GP. An accessibility concession photo ID card will then be issued, and must be shown to the bus driver in order to receive the free travel.

I am with Total Mobility do I automatically qualify? 

Yes if you are already registered with Total Mobility you will be eligible for the concession and will not need to undertake an assessment. Simply call us on 0800 205 305 and we’ll organise an ID card to be mailed to you.

How do I get the card?

There are 3 ways to apply;

1. Check with your doctor to see if they will complete your assessment. Print the application form at busit.co.nz and bring it to your doctor’s appointment. They can submit the application to us on your behalf, or you can drop the form back to us at the BUSIT counter at the Hamilton Transport Centre. Once approved, we will contact you to come in to have a photo taken and your ID card printed.

2. Contact a participating disability agency who will set up an appointment with you to fill out the application form and undertake an eligibility assessment. There may be a charge for this assessment. Your photo will be taken at this appointment and your ID card will be mailed to you.

3. If you are already a Total Mobility user simply call us on 0800 205 305 and we’ll organise an ID card to be mailed to you.

Applications take around two weeks to process. 

Is there an age limit?

Anyone of any age is able to apply for the accessibility concession. The eligibility is based around having an impairment that means you are unable to drive a car now, or when you get to the legal driving age.  

Can I get a replacement card?

Yes, you just need to give us a call or pop into see us at the Transport Centre. Replacement cards will cost $5 and could take up to 2 weeks to process the replacement of your card. 

Where can I get my assessment done?

Check with your doctor to see if they will complete your assessment. Or contact your disability agency; 

 

Age Concern Hamilton/ Waipa 07 838 2266
Aspire 07 839 0183
Blind Foundation Hamilton 0800 24 33 33
Cambridge Community House Trust 07 827 5402
CCS Disability Action 07 853 9761
Community Living Trust 07 834 3700
Enrich+ 0800 367 424
Epilepsy Organisation 07 834 3556 
IDEA Services 07 834 7200
Life Unlimited 07 839 5506
MS Waikato Trust 07 834 4740
Parkinsons Waikato 07 839 9038
Stroke Foundation 07 849 2065


Where can I get the form to fill out?

You can get a form from any of the participating agencies or by printing it from here

I have not had my assessment done yet can I still get the free travel?

No, you cannot receive the free travel until you have had the eligibility assessment and received your accessibility Bee Card. Please respect our drivers and continue to pay a fare until you receive your card. 

Do I still need to carry a BUSIT card?

The BUSIT card and your accessibility ID card have been replaced by a new accessibility Bee Card. You will need to carry this to receive free travel.

Can I show the driver my assessment notice and get on the bus?

No, you have to have your accessibility Bee Card with you to show the driver, otherwise you will not get on for free. 

I can’t drive temporarily can I get the free travel? 

The accessibility concession is available for people with a permanent disability, and also for people with a temporary disability, that is likely to last six months or more.

Can my carer get free travel as well?

From 1 February, yes they can. You’ll need to be eligible – unable to travel independently on the bus without a companion, and have your Bee Card updated, but once this is processed, your companion you are travelling with that day is able to travel with you at no charge.

Where can I travel with the free fares?

The accessibility concession is available on all BUSIT services within Hamilton and on our regional routes that connect with Hamilton including  Pukekohe, Huntly, Raglan, Paeroa, Cambridge, Morrinsville/Paeroa and Te Awamutu. 

What times of the day do I receive the free travel?

You receive the free travel any time of the day any day of the week.


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