Discounted taxi fares
If you have an impairment that makes it hard for you to use public transport, you might be able to get discounted taxi fares.
Total Mobility
The Total Mobility scheme assists eligible people, with long-term impairments to access appropriate transport to meet their daily needs and get out and about in the community. The scheme is for people who have a disability that prevents them from safely using public transport.
Scheme users are issued with a Total Mobility card or vouchers (depending on which region you live) that gives you a 75 percent discount off taxi fares, up to a maximum amount per trip. The maximum subsidy varies between regions.
You can use your Total Mobility card with standard taxis, mobility taxis, and other driving services that belong to the Total Mobility scheme.
Download the Total Mobility Around New Zealand guide from the Waka Kotahi website - this includes a list of taxi companies and other driving services that are part of Total Mobility, as well as regional council contacts.
How to apply
To apply for a card, you’ll need an assessment with a Total Mobility agency. You might need to pay a fee for the assessment or the ID card.
To find a Total Mobility Agency, search your regional council’s website, or contact any of these places:
The Total Mobility coordinator at your regional council.
A disability support agency, such as the Stroke Foundation or IDEA Services.
A disability information centre.
Find a disability information centre
The assessment is quite straight forward. You will be asked if you can get to public transport, if you can get on and off public transport, whether you can ride public transport securely, and if you could get to your destination after your ride. The assessment usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Once you’ve got your Total Mobility card, remember to present it to the driver at the start of each trip you take.
Cerebral Palsy Society getOutThere transport subsidy
The Cerebral Palsy Society getOutThere programme helps fund part of the remaining fare of a transport company that is not covered by the Total Mobility scheme.
Programme members receive a e-card loaded with the approved funding for the period. The card can be topped up when the next funding round starts.
You can apply for the Society’s getOutThere programme if you:
are a current financial member of the Cerebral Palsy Society of NZ, and
belong to the Total Mobility scheme.
Visit the Cerebral Palsy Society website for getOutThere programme application details
Need help to apply for these schemes?
Your local disability information centre can help you apply for these schemes.
Find a disability information centre