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Total Mobility Passenger Transport

Nelson Tasman’s door-to-door transport service for people with disabilities.

Total Mobility is a door-to-door passenger transport scheme that uses regular taxi vehicles, passenger service operators, and modified taxis for wheelchair access.

Its purpose is to increase the mobility of people with disabilities, so that they may access passenger transport in a similar fashion to others in the community.

Changes to the Total Mobility Scheme - from 1 July 2026

From 1 July 2026, the Government has directed the following changes to the Total Mobility (TM) scheme:

  • The subsidy rate will reduce from 75% to 65% for eligible trips.
  • The maximum fare cap in our region will reduce by 10% to $27

These changes are being implemented consistently across all regions in New Zealand.

The Government has made these changes to address increasing funding pressures on the Total Mobility scheme and to help ensure it remains financially sustainable over the long term, while continuing to provide meaningful support to those who rely on it. This is a national policy decision, not a change initiated by councils.

What IS changing for Total Mobility users

  • Customers will generally pay a slightly higher share of each trip.
  • For many trips, this may be a few extra dollars, depending on fare value and distance travelled.
  • For longer or higher cost trips, the impact may be more noticeable due to the combined effect of the lower subsidy and lower fare cap.

What is NOT changing for Total Mobility users:

  • Customers will continue to use their Total Mobility card as they do now.
  • Approved transport providers and booking processes are unchanged.
  • The scheme continues to support access to essential transport for eligible people.

What is Total Mobility?

In the Nelson and Tasman regions, Nelson City Council administers the Total Mobility Scheme, with Tasman District Council contributing towards the budget. The local authorities fund the local share of the budget via rates, with the remainder coming from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency funding.

The scheme entitles eligible people to receive a discount on their fare by way of a Total Mobility ID card subject to local conditions. The cards can be used in other regions of New Zealand where a local authority operates the scheme, subject to that authority's conditions.

Nelson Tasman has a capped fare of $30 ($27 from 1 July 2026) that the subsidy applies to. Any balance above this amount is to be paid by the user.

A local example of the subsidy is outlined below.

Subsidy

From 1 July 2026 - 65% subsidy and $27 fare cap

Metered Fare NCC & Waka Kotahi payCustomer pays
$10 $6.50 $3.50
$20 $13.00 $7.00
$30 $17.55 $12.45
$40 $17.55 $22.45

Area covered

Nelson Tasman Total Mobility operates within the regions administered by Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council:

  • Northeast of Nelson City to the Marlborough District Council boundary at the Rai Saddle
  • Nelson City and suburbs
  • South including urban and rural Richmond, Hope, Brightwater and Wakefield to Buller District Council boundary south of Murchison
  • Northwest to Mapua, Motueka and Golden Bay

The following regions are currently registered in the Ridewise system:

  • Auckland
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Canterbury
  • Horizons (i.e. Manawatu/Horowhenua areas)
  • Invercargill
  • Nelson
  • Marlborough
  • Northland
  • Otago
  • Taranaki
  • Waikato
  • Wellington

Who can use Total Mobility

This scheme is available only to individuals with a disability that significantly impairs their mobility, preventing them from using public bus services or requiring constant assistance from another person.

Eligibility is assessed by a Council-approved agency. To be eligible, a person must have a disability or impairment that prevents them from independently completing any one or more of the following five components of a journey on a bus, train, or ferry in a safe and dignified manner:

  • Getting to the place from where the transport departs
  • Getting onto the transport
  • Riding securely
  • Getting off transport
  • Getting to the destination

Examples of eligibility could be inability to, or difficulty in:

  • Walking 500 metres unaided. This is the approximate distance from Civic House on Trafalgar Street to the Hardy Street intersection.
  • Understanding and following directions, communicating clearly with others, reading timetables and place names
  • Understanding and using available information to assist you in planning and undertaking short journeys by public transport
  • Entering and exiting public transport safely unaided
  • Taking responsibility for one’s own personal safety and dignity throughout the journey
  • Handling money to pay the required fare

How to join Total Mobility

The agencies listed below are responsible for assessing people’s eligibility to join the Total Mobility Scheme. Please contact an agency that provides services for people with a similar disability to your own. They will carry out an assessment, and if deemed eligible, Nelson City Council will issue you with a photo ID card that you will show to the driver each time you travel.
There is no charge for having an assessment.

Please note that being a member of an agency that assesses eligibility for Total Mobility, having a disability and the fact that your area of Nelson City/Tasman District is not covered by a public bus service, does not automatically make you eligible for Total Mobility.

Nelson City Council Total Mobility Terms and Conditions

Approved Total Mobility Agencies

Agency

Phone number

Email address

Age Concern Nelson Tasman

03 544 7624

contact@acnt.org.nz

Click here to book an assessment via the Age Concern website

Alzheimer's Nelson Tasman

03 546 7702

admin@alzheimersnsn.org.nz

Blind Low Vision NZ

03 547 6616

nelsonadmin@blindlowvision.org.nz

CCS Disability Action Nelson Marlborough

03 548 4479

nelson.admin@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz

Epilepsy NZ
03 927 6943 nelson.marlborough@epilepsy.org.nz
Muscular Dystrophy NZ0800800337 jane.hazlett@mda.org.nz

Participating Total Mobility Transport Operators

Operator

Phone number

Email address

Nelson City and Richmond
including northeast of the city, southwest of Richmond and Mapua

Freedom Companion Driving Services

0800 956 956
03 539 4856
021 355 843

nelson@freedomdrivers.co.nz
Wheelchair hoist vehicles available

Nelson City Taxis

03 548 8225
0800 10 88 55

enquiries@nelsontaxis.co.nz
Wheelchair hoist vehicles available

Driving Miss Daisy

03 541 0020
021 504 856

nelson@drivingmissdaisy.co.nz
Wheelchair hoist vehicles available

Fifeshire Taxi – Nelson

03 546 7113

ptrtaxi@hotmail.co.nz

Motueka
including north to Marahau and south to Mapua, Moutere valley and Motueka Valley

Motueka Taxis Ltd

021 0876 7992

Mon-Wed 8.00am till 9.00pm
Thu-Fri-Sat 8:00am till 12 midnight
any other hours by booking only

Golden Bay

There are currently no participating transport operators in Golden Bay.

Total Mobility FAQs

Yes. Vouchers have been phased out and now only photo ID cards are accepted. If you do not have a card, you are not eligible for a Total Mobility subsidy.

You book a taxi/transport operator that is equipped with card readers (see list of participating operators above). At the start of the trip, the driver confirms you match the photo on the card and then swipes it. When you reach your destination, the fare is calculated with the subsidy deducted. You pay the remaining amount to the driver, who should provide you with a receipt. The journey and payment details are then submitted to the Council, who reimburse the taxi/transport operator.

Yes. The scheme currently operates in Auckland, Christchurch, Otago, Wellington, Northland, and Taranaki, with more councils continuing to adopt it. If you are planning to travel to another region, it is still recommended that you check with the relevant council beforehand.

After the agency (see approved list of agencies above) has completed your assessment and your application has been approved by Council, your card will be posted to your home address. Please allow 10 business days for it to arrive.

If you move house or your circumstances change, please contact your agency (e.g. Age Concern).

Please call your agency (e.g. Age Concern) to arrange for a replacement card. You will need to pay the full fare until you receive your new card.

Please dispose of any remaining vouchers. They are no longer valid and will not be accepted by drivers.

Just your photo, name, ID number, and expiry date (your date of birth and address details remain confidential).

Nelson City Council does not currently provide a subsidy for the transport of Motorised Mobility Scooters on the Mobility Hoists.

No, the Mobility Parking Permit is a different scheme administered by CCS Disability Action Nelson Marlborough. Find out more on our Mobility Parking Permit page.

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