• About the Total Mobility scheme
• Who is eligible?
• How do I know if I am eligible to join the scheme?
  
  • Taupo Total Mobility agencies
  • Hamilton Total Mobility agencies
  • Tokoroa Total Mobility agencies
• Which other regions have Total Mobility?
• Which taxi companies do I use for Total Mobility?
  
  • Hamilton approved Total Mobility taxi providers
  • Tokoroa approved Total Mobility taxi providers
  • Taupo approved Total Mobility taxi providers
• Related links

About the Total Mobility scheme

Total Mobility is a door to door national transport scheme involving disability support agencies, taxi companies and local government. The scheme is designed to increase the mobility of people with disabilities, to allow equitable access to the community.

In the Waikato region, there are schemes operating in Hamilton, Taupo and Tokoroa - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please note: Total Mobility hoist vans are not always available due to the driver's availability and their commitment to provide school services.

The scheme provides a 50 per cent discount on taxi fares for eligible participants. Participants in the scheme are assessed for impairment and if they are eligible to receive the discount, they will receive books of vouchers and an identification card. Currently the 50 per cent discount is funded by central government (40 per cent) via Land Transport NZ and by ratepayers(60 per cent). Currently the ratepayers' portion of the cost is obtained via the district council concerned or via a special rate from Waikato Regional Council (Hamilton).

The scheme is currently under central government review and Waikato Regional Council will support opportunities for increased central government funding for Total Mobility.

Who is eligible?

Eligible people, for reasons of physical, sensory, intellectual or psychological disability, whether congenital, acquired, age related and living independently satisfy the following criteria:

• People who can not unaided complete any of the component parts involved in making use of public passenger transport. The component parts are defined as:
  
  • proceeding to the nearest bus stop / train station
  • boarding, riding securely and alighting
  • proceeding from the destination stop to the trip end.

In rural areas where it is difficult to use the above criteria as there may not be a bus service. The agencies will adapt the criteria. The applicant must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• be unable to walk and totally dependent on a wheelchair
• be a person with total loss of vision, or severe impairment of vision which prevents them from walking 100 metres safely
• have dependency on mobility devices (such as crutches, walking sticks, splints or walking frames)
• be unable to walk 100 metres without deteriorating their condition.

For the purpose of this concessionary fare scheme, if a person has been assessed as needing rest home or continuing hospital care services, they will not be eligible for entry into the Total Mobility scheme. Dependent Children are not eligible for this scheme either. This policy applies for all Total Mobility schemes in the region.

How do I know if I am eligible to join the scheme?

You will need to contact one of the Total Mobility agencies listed below and undergo an eligibility assessment to ensure you meet the present regional requirement.

Please call the agency in your region to make an enquiry and appointment if appropriate.

Taupo Total Mobility agencies

Hamilton Total Mobility agencies

Tokoroa Total Mobility agencies

Which other regions have Total Mobility?

Total Mobility operates in other areas.  You can use your vouchers in:

• Hamilton City
• Tokoroa
• Taupo
• Auckland
• Palmerston North
• New Plymouth
• Wellington
• Christchurch
• Dunedin
• Napier/Hastings
• Bay of Plenty, including Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Te Puke, Whakatane and Rotorua
• Whangarei
• Invecargill
• Nelson
• Greymouth
• Gisborne
• Blenheim

Please Note: Before you board a taxi in another region ensure you confirm with the driver that they are an approved TM provider and will accept your vouchers.  If not you will need to check with another taxi provider.

Which taxi companies do I use for Total Mobility?

Due to the importance of quality customer service for Total Mobility users, contracts are entered into with the regional council and appropriate taxi service providers, with a view of seeking quality. Below are the registered (approved) taxi companies in the Waikato region.

Hamilton approved Total Mobility taxi providers

Hamilton Taxis Phone 8477 477 or 0800 477 477

Red Cabs Phone 839 0500 or 0800 455 500

Trikiso Buses Ltd Phone 07 847 2203 (Hoist only)

Tokoroa approved Total Mobility taxi providers

Tokoroa Taxicabs Phone 886 4125

Taupo approved Total Mobility taxi providers

Taupo Taxis Phone 378 5100

Related links

Land Transport New Zealand

Land Transport New Zealand General Circular No. 05/07
Improvements to the Total Mobility Scheme

General circular 07/01 - Total Mobility Flat Rate Payments   
General Circular - Funding: No 07/01 Total Mobility Flat Rate Payments

General Circular - Funding: No 06/03
Implementation of Phase 1 of the Total Mobility Scheme

Human Rights Commission

Inquiry into Accessible Public Land Transport for People with Disabilities