Concerns over future of disability transport fund
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Disability advocates are worried that funding for subsidised transport will be cut without notice - fearing the situation could be the same as the shock cuts to disability support service funding in March 2024.
The Total Mobility programme is co-funded by central and local government, with up to 75 percent of each fare subsidised, meaning the user only pays a quarter of the total fare.
For some disabled people, the subsidised cost is the difference between being able to leave the house, or not.
But the scheme is increasingly costing the government.
Ministry of Transport figures show the cost from now until 2027 is expected to increase 72 percent from the previous three-year period, to $52 million, while the number of users has increased 40 percent over the last five years.
The Total Mobility scheme has been under review since 2023, but had its terms of reference changed last year and remains under review.
The Minister of Transport Chris Bishop says the intent is for Ministers to get final advice from the review this year, and that decisions about public engagement will be made in due course.
Nick Ruane is a disability advocate and a Total Mobility user.
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