We need your help to save the Total Mobility Scheme

In December last year, the Government announced that there will be a reduction in the subsidy available. The amount is scheduled to drop from 75% to 65%, starting 1 July 2026. At the same time, they announced proposed changes to the Scheme, claiming this would “strengthen” it.

In spite of the word choice, most of the proposed changes are attempts to cut costs by reducing the usefulness of the Scheme. The proposal document suggests further reducing the subsidy, reducing central government’s contributions and putting further pressure on local councils, and lowering the trip caps.

Any of these measures, by definition, will make it harder for people to access their communities.

The Total Mobility Scheme does need updating, as it has not been adapted significantly since the 1980s. However, before any changes are made, a community consultation needs to take place to evaluate how the Total Mobility Scheme can be adapted in ways that meet people’s needs more effectively, rather than simply reducing the scope of the Scheme.

The document also suggests adding to the subsidies available for public transport, to take pressure off the Total Mobility Scheme. There will always be people for whom public transport is not a viable option, but investing in better public transport can help to reduce the number of Total Mobility users. However, simply providing a subsidy won’t be enough. There are many reasons public transport may not be fit for purpose in an area, including inconvenient bus routes, dangerous paths of travel to and from bus stops, buses not stopping for blind passengers or refusing to take unmuzzled guide dogs. Further work needs to be done to make public transport fit for purpose rather than just throwing money at the problem.

On top of this, the Government is proposing to include on-demand rideshare services such as Uber in the scheme. Given the prevalence of guide dog refusals from drivers in this industry, we are sceptical of their ability to appropriately cater to the blind community. Drivers for rideshare companies don’t go through in-person training, making it hard to guarantee their understanding of and adherence to the law around rights of assistance dogs.

Blind Low Vision NZ will be submitting on the proposed changes, and we encourage all clients, staff, volunteers, and friends and family members of those who use the Scheme to make their own submissions too – the more people who make their opinions known, the stronger our voices will be. Submissions close March 22nd.

You can read about the proposed changes on the Ministry of Transport’s website.

To help you get started on your submission, you can download our submission template here, and email your final letter to TotalMobilityReview@Transport.govt.nz to make your voice heard.”