Thursday 28 May 2026
The Otago Regional Council has agreed to changes to the Total Mobility scheme following Government direction to reduce the cost of the programme nationwide.
From 1 July 2026, the Government will reduce the Total Mobility subsidy from 75 percent to 65 percent. The Ministry of Transport also recommended councils reduce the fare cap – the maximum fare eligible for subsidy – by 10 percent. This is to ensure long term sustainability of the scheme.
At yesterday’s Council meeting, councillors agreed to reduce Otago’s fare cap by 10 percent – from $50 to $45.
This means the maximum subsidy available for a single trip will reduce from $37.50 to $29.25. On a $50 trip, the passenger will, from 1 July, pay $20.75, compared with $12.50 currently.
The Council also agreed to write to the Minister of Transport urging that Total Mobility is reviewed and better resourced so it can fully meet its purpose for all communities.
ORC’s Transport Portfolio Co-lead Cr Alan Somerville says the changes are intended to help keep the scheme financially sustainable while continuing to support people who rely on it.
“We appreciate these changes will increase costs for Total Mobility users and acknowledge this is a challenging situation, especially given the current cost of living pressures,” Cr Somerville says.
“Total Mobility is an important service that helps people travel safely and independently when they cannot use conventional public transport.”
“We want to ensure the scheme remains available for the people who rely on it, while also making sure it is financially sustainable for both local and central government. That’s why we are asking the Minister of Transport to review and better resource the scheme.”
Total Mobility use has increased significantly since the subsidy increased from 50 percent to 75 percent in 2022, with more users taking more trips.
In Otago, about 7,000 customers use the scheme in Dunedin, Balclutha, Ōamaru, Queenstown, Wānaka and Alexandra.
Total Mobility provides subsidised door-to-door transport services for people who are unable to safely use regular public transport because of a disability or long term impairment.
The scheme operates through approved taxi and small passenger service providers.
The Ministry of Transport says the subsidy and fare cap changes are intended to reduce financial pressure on the scheme while maintaining access for users.
If your impairment makes using public transport difficult or impossible, you may be eligible for the Total Mobility scheme.
Learn how Orbus makes bus travel as accessible as possible for a range of different users, such as allowing onboard wheelchairs, service dogs and kneeling buses.
