The government announced on Tuesday it was cutting transport subsidies for the Total Mobility service from 75% to 65%.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Disabilities Minister Louise Upston said the number of registered users of the scheme had increased from 108,000 to 120,000 between 2022 and 2024-25 and the number of trips rose from 1.8 million in 2018 to three million in 2024-25.
Mr Bishop said the increased demand now meant the scheme was close to exceeding the funding provided by $236m sometime over the five years to 2030.
The subsidy was split between the government and public transport authorities — NZ Transport Agency and regional councils — and provided an important service for the people who used the scheme, Mr Bishop said.
Otago had recorded a significant increase in the number of Total Mobility users, registered card holders rising from 4383 in 2022-23 to 6972 in 2024-25, a 59% rise.
Between 2021-22 and 2024-25, the total distance travelled in Otago doubled, and the average length of each trip increased 29%.
At an Otago Regional Council meeting last week, the council was asked to look at changes to the scheme but decided to do nothing and wait until a government announcement, which happened on Tuesday.
Disability advocate Chris Ford said yesterday the changes would leave disabled people having to make choices such as either picking up groceries or going to the doctor.
"It’s going to go back to that sort of scenario for many disabled people unfortunately, and these cuts really will mean that disabled people are not able to fully be included within their communities," Mr Ford said.
"The current government, in particular, has not funded the scheme to be able to keep up with the demand. It hasn’t provided adequate funding to be able to do that."
The subsidy went from 50% to 75% in 2022 and usage increased, as disabled people could participate in society more, Mr Ford said.
"The whole philosophy behind Total Mobility is that it enables disabled people to use things for whatever reason or purpose, and to go wherever they want on the basis that it enables disabled people to access the community in the same way as non-disabled people would."
He said costs for transport were like everything else and had increased, so the subsidy cut would hurt more.
CCS Disability Action access adviser Mary O’Brien said at the regional council meeting last week the scheme made a total difference to people who were really on the back foot.
The Total Mobility scheme provided discounted taxis and public transport fares for those with long-term impairments, she said.
She said it provided certainty to the disabled people as they knew they could take journeys.
