Total Mobility is a door to door national transport scheme involving disability support agencies, transport providers and local government. The scheme is designed to increase the mobility of people with disabilities, to allow equitable access to the community.
In the Waikato region, there are Total Mobility schemes operating in Hamilton, Taupo and Tokoroa - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In 2019, Waipa will jump on board.
The scheme provides up to 50 per cent discount on taxi fares to a maximum subsidy for eligible participants. Participants in the scheme are assessed for impairment and if they are eligible to receive the discount, they will receive an identification card. Currently the subsidy is funded by central government via NZ Transport Agency (60 per cent) and by district ratepayers (40 per cent). The ratepayers' portion of the cost is obtained via the district council concerned or via a special rate from Waikato Regional Council (Hamilton).
Electronic ID cards
A new electronic system has been introduced in the Waikato – this means no more pink vouchers.
Total Mobility users will only to need to carry the new Total Mobility ID card they have been issued which has a black mag-strip on the back. This card will be scanned by taxi drivers at the beginning and end of each trip, and the user will just pay the fee remainder as they would before. In Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty you may still require both your ID and vouchers as they are not yet electronically compatible with the new system.
If you have not received your new ID card, please call the Total Mobility Co-ordinator on 0800 800 401.
In addition, Waipa will be rolling out the scheme throughout their boundaries as of early 2019.
Total Mobility Scheme
The scheme is open to people of all ages living within the city or town boundaries of Hamilton, Tokoroa or within the defined Total Mobility zone as specified by Taupo District Council. People living in residential care facilities such as rest homes, and children can also be eligible for the scheme.
People who use the scheme must have a physical, intellectual, psychological, sensory or neurological disability that prevents them from undertaking any one or more of the following five components of a journey unaccompanied on a bus, train or ferry in a safe and dignified manner:
- Get to the place from where the transport departs
- Get on to the transport
- Ride securely
- Get off the transport
- Get to the final destination
The disability can be permanent, temporary (has lasted, or is expected to last for six months or more) or fluctuating (able to use public transport some, but not all of the time).
These are the sorts of disabilities which would qualify for Total Mobility:
- if you're unable to walk to the nearest bus stop or get on and off a bus because of pain, respiratory problems, inability to see or hear, you rely on complex walking aids or if you need someone else's help to get around
- total loss of or severe impairment of vision which means you can't use public transport alone
- intellectual or psychiatric disabilities which may mean you need help from someone else.
How do I know if I am eligible?
You will need to contact one of the Total Mobility agencies listed below and undergo an eligibility assessment to ensure you meet the present regional requirement.
Please call the agency in your area to make an enquiry and appointment if appropriate.
Total Mobility agencies
Taupō
|
Agency |
Address |
Phone number |
|
Age Concern |
P O Box 595 Taupo |
(07) 378 9712 07) 378 0953 Fax |
|
Arthritis Foundation (area office services Taupo) |
PO Box 1336 Rotorua |
07 348 5121 |
|
CCS Disability Action (area office services Taupo) |
PO Box 2148,Tauranga |
(07) 5780063 |
|
IDEA Services |
PO Box 595 Taupo |
(07) 378 1328 (07) 348 1451 |
|
The Blind Foundation (area office services Taupo) |
PO Box 15114 Tauranga |
(07) 5782376 |
Hamilton
|
Agency |
Address |
Phone Number |
|
Arthritis Foundation NB: This agency does not have an assessor for Total Mobility. They only supply replacement voucher books. Please contact another agency. |
P O Box 9109 55 London Street Hamilton |
0800 663 463 |
|
CCS Disability Action Organisation |
P O Box 272 Claudelands Rd Hamilton |
(07) 853 9761 |
|
LIFE Unlimited |
P O Box 146 20 Palmerston Street Hamilton |
(07) 839 5506 |
|
Epilepsy Association NB: This agency does not have an assessor for Total Mobility. They only supply replacement voucher books. Please contact another agency. |
P O Box 683 Vialou Street Hamilton |
(07) 838 1433 |
|
IDEA Services (formerly IHC) |
P O Box 750 2 Von Tempsky Street Hamilton |
(07) 839 4802 |
|
Parkinsons Society |
PO Box 14154 18 Rotokauri Road Hamilton |
(07) 849 5281 |
|
The Blind Foundation |
PO Box 854 Caro Street Hamilton |
(07) 839 2266 |
|
Stroke Foundation |
P.O. Box 27112 Garnett Avenue Hamilton 3257 |
(07) 849 2065 |
|
MS Waikato Trust NB: This agency does not have an assessor for Total Mobility. They only supply replacement voucher books. Please contact another agency. |
P O Box 146 20 Palmerston Street Hamilton |
(07) 834 4740 |
Tokoroa
|
Agency |
Address |
Phone Number |
|
South Waikato Pacific Islands Health Committee Assessment Agency |
P.O. Box 564 Tokoroa |
(07) 886 0010 |
|
TCOSS Distributors of replacement voucher books |
Tulloch House Tokoroa Hospital Maraetai Road Tokoroa |
(07) 886 8277 extension 0 Monday to Friday |
Do I need to provide evidence of my disability? You may need to provide evidence of your disability if the assessor doesn’t know your history. The assessor will get your permission to gather more information about your disability so you can be properly assessed. Give them the name of your caregiver, ACC assessor, GP, specialist, physiotherapist, psychiatrist, social worker or occupational therapist. Without more information you may not be able to participate in the scheme.
What happens once I’ve applied? Your application will be evaluated and be processed by the Waikato Regional Council to ensure you meet the criteria to become a Total Mobility user.
If your application is successful you will receive a photo ID card to get you started at no charge. However should you lose your ID card, your replacement card will cost $10.00 payable to the Waikato Regional Council.
A Total Mobility Management Committee can make the final decision about whether a person is eligible for membership if there’s a dispute.
It takes about two to three weeks to register a successful applicant and issue a photo ID card.
Can I use Total Mobility if I get other financial assistance? The Total Mobility scheme may only be used for journeys that are not covered by travel income or assistance from another official source. Using financial assistance as well as the Total Mobility scheme – ‘double-dipping’ – is not permitted.
Tell your assessor if you get travel income or assistance from another source or what journeys you get financial assistance for. You may not be eligible for Total Mobility if you get other general financial assistance.
Other regions
Total Mobility also operates in other areas. You can use your card or vouchers in:
- Whangarei
- Auckland
- Hamilton
- Waipa, coming in 2019
- Tokoroa
- Taupō
- Bay of Plenty, including Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Te Puke, Whakatane and Rotorua (vouchers required)
- Gisborne
- Napier and Hastings (vouchers required)
- Palmerston North
- New Plymouth
- Wellington
- Nelson
- Blenheim
- Greymouth
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Invercargill
- Christchurch
Before you board a taxi in another region ensure you confirm with the driver that they are an area approved Total Mobility provider and will accept your ID or voucher. If not you will need to check with another transport provider.
Taxi companies and transport providers
Due to the importance of quality customer service for Total Mobility users, contracts are entered into with the regional council and appropriate transport providers.
When able, please ring and pre-book taxis, letting them know you are a Total Mobility user. Vehicles with a wheelchair hoist must always be booked in advance.
The following taxi companies participate in the Total Mobility scheme:
Hamilton
Hamilton Taxis Phone 8477 477 or 0800 477 477
Red Cabs Phone 839 3939
Trikiso Buses Ltd Phone 07 847 2203 or 0800 874 547. Bookings preferred.
Yellow Cabs Phone 07 847 9469 or 0800 479 469
Driving Miss Daisy – Hamilton East: 07 856 8865 or 0800 948 432. Bookings required. This service has a wheelchair accessible vehicle available – ramp access only.
Driving Miss Daisy – Hamilton West: 07 856 0112 or 0800 948 432. Bookings required.
Tokoroa
Tokoroa Taxi Society Phone 07 886 6099 - Please note there is no wheelchair hoist vehicle available.
Taupō
Great Lake Taxis Phone 07 377 8990
Taupo Taxis Phone 07 378 5100
Feedback
To offer feedback on the Total Mobility scheme, please call Waikato Regional Council on 0800 800 401.
Related links
NZ Transport Agency
Total Mobility around New Zealand(external link)(external link) A user’s guide to the Total Mobility scheme in the different regions around New Zealand.