19 Aug 2025

Disability groups fear vital travel subsidy could be capped

From Checkpoint, 5:08 pm on 19 August 2025

Fears are growing in the disability community that a vital travel subsidy scheme could be capped. The Total Mobility Scheme that is co-funded by the government helps disabled people who cant use buses trains or ferries get where they need to go in subsidised taxis. The scheme has been under review for the past two years, with no official word on any changes. Disability groups fear the subsidy will be cut or overall funding capped, seriously restricting options for people who use the scheme. Auckland academic Dr Sally Britnell spoke to Lisa Owen.