Otago Regional Council will continue to provide the Total Mobility service while also considering changes to the scheme to ensure it is sustainable.

Since the introduction of the 75% subsidy in 2022, the Total Mobility service has seen a significant increase in passenger trips and cost to run the service. For the three years from July 2024 to June 2027, the forecast cost overrun is about $2.8 million.

At yesterday’s Council meeting, councillors decided to continue the service until at least the end of 2025. Staff will investigate potential changes to the service, and report back to Council with recommendations by the end of this year on possible changes that will lower expenditure. The changes would then look to be implemented in the first half of 2026.

Councillors said they hoped the Ministry of Transport review of Total Mobility would be completed by the end of 2025 so they could make decisions on the service.

The Council considered four options on the scheme. One was to maintain business as usual until a Ministry of Transport review is completed later in the year and guidance from NZTA is released. The second option was to maintain business as usual and increase ORC rates to ensure Total Mobility services are fully provided for. The third option was to investigate other options to lower expenditure. The fourth option was to ensure the sustainability of the scheme in the most equitable way by reviewing the amount users pay and trip limits.

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Public and Active Transport Committee Co-Chair Andrew Noone said the Council needed to deal with the issue in a way that caused the least disruption for the most vulnerable people in our communities.

In Otago, 8,660 customers use the scheme in Dunedin, Oamaru, Balclutha, Queenstown and Wānaka.

Under the scheme, people with limited or reduced mobility preventing them from using public transport could be eligible for a subsidy with contracted taxi and rideshare operators to provide door to door transport. Total Mobility provides an essential service by enabling people with a disability to use a form of public transport in an independent, safe and dignified way.

Total Mobility schemes throughout the country are facing the same situation – where increased passenger numbers are also increasing costs.

Background:

Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme funded by central government and run by regional councils providing subsidised access to transport for people with long-term impairments.

The subsidy is 75% of the fare, up to a maximum of $37.50. If the total fare is more than $50, the customer must meet the additional cost.

Since the subsidy was increased by 50% to 75% in 2022, Total Mobility across New Zealand has seen significant increases in use, expenditure and changes in user behaviour (longer and more frequent trips taken).

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