Total Mobility

 

Website : Environment Canterbury

Waimate Agency : Community Link

Address : 1 Glasgow Street, Waimate

Phone : 03 689 6226

 

Subsidised transport scheme for eligible people with long term impairments

What is Total Mobility?
Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme to help provide transport for people who, due to a long-term impairment, cannot use public transport. Eligible people use an electronic card to receive subsidised fares with approved Total Mobility transport operators. Total Mobility is jointly funded in the Canterbury region by Environment Canterbury (through local urban rates) and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).

What is the subsidy?
The subsidy is 50% of the fare, up to a maximum of $35 per trip. For each fare under $70, the Total Mobility cardholder receives a 50% discount, and pays the other 50% of the fare at the end of the trip.

For each fare over $70, the Total Mobility card holder receives a discount of $35, and pays the remaining portion of the fare at the end of the trip.

Who can use a Total Mobility card?
Any person who has been assessed by an approved Total Mobility agency and is found eligible. When the assessment has been completed, eligible users will receive their card within ten working days.

Who can I book an assessment with?
The approved agency for Waimate is Community Link, 1 Glasgow Street, 03 689 6226

The cost of the assessment is $10.00, this covers the costs the card. If eligible, you will also need to provide a recent photo to use on the electronic card. If you don’t have a photo,
the agency may arrange to take one.

A replacement card fee of $10.00 will be charged if a Total Mobility card is lost, stolen or damaged. Replacement cards can be organised through Community Link.

When can the cards be used?
The cards can be used seven days a week, 24 hours a day (or the licensed hours of the transport operator). There is no restriction on other persons accompanying a Total Mobility cardholder.

Where can the cards be used?

Cards can be used to travel around Waimate, Timaru, Geraldine, Ashburton and Christchurch for any trip up to a maximum subsidy of $35. Cards can only be used with transport operators contracted by Environment Canterbury to provide the Total Mobility service in Waimate, Timaru, Geraldine, Ashburton and Christchurch. All transport operators have a wheelchair accessible vehicle available (either hoist or ramp access), as well as cars, as part of the Total Mobility service.

As the Total Mobility scheme is also provided by other regional councils around New Zealand, the electronic cards may also be used in the following areas:

  • Auckland

  • Canterbury

  • Manawatu/Horowhenua

  • Invercargill

  • Nelson

  • Northland

  • Otago

  • Taranaki

  • Waikato

  • Wellington

(Please note: discount rates in these areas may differ from the Canterbury discount) Some other regions provide the Total Mobility scheme, however are not equipped to take electronic cards. In these areas, clients must use paper vouchers to receive the local discount. Vouchers are available through the assessment agency.