Wednesday 10 December 2025
The Otago Regional Council will continue to operate the Total Mobility scheme under its current settings until it has received national guidance and a Ministry of Transport review.
At yesterday’s Council meeting, councillors agreed to ensure continuity for users while staff work on options to manage rising demand and costs.
The decision follows a report presented at today’s meeting showing that the programme could exceed its three-year budget, potentially by upwards of $700,000 if no changes are made. Since the shift to a 75% subsidy in 2022, Total Mobility use has grown substantially, with more users, longer trips and more frequent travel. This pattern mirrors what is happening across New Zealand.
ORC’s Transport Portfolio Lead Councillor Alan Somerville says it is essential that a long-term solution is found on Total Mobility funding.
“We are in a very difficult and unsatisfactory position. We know there’s demand for Total Mobility, but funding arrangements are not meeting the costs,” Cr Somerville says.
“Total Mobility changes lives every day. It allows people with a disability to use a form of public transport that is safe, dignified and independent. It’s vital that the scheme remains affordable for vulnerable users — but it must also be sustainable for the Council to run.”
It is anticipated that guidance from NZTA and a review by the Ministry of Transport due soon may provide additional levers to enable better oversight and management of Total Mobility, including options for fare caps and changes in subsidy levels, while limiting the impact on card holders as much as possible.
Councillors agreed to raise the Total Mobility funding issue with central government.
Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme funded by central government and regional councils. It provides subsidised transport for people with long-term impairments who cannot use conventional public transport.
In Otago, 8,660 customers use the scheme in Dunedin, Oamaru, Balclutha, Queenstown and Wānaka.
Under the scheme, people with limited or reduced mobility that prevents them from using public transport may be eligible for a subsidy with contracted taxi and rideshare operators to provide door to door transport.