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.

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. The current discount rate for Nelson-Tasman is 75% to a maximum discount of $22.50 per trip.

Nelson/Tasman have a capped fare of $30 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.

 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

Regions currently registered with the Ridewise system are:

• Auckland
• Bay of Plenty (from 4 November 2019)
• Canterbury
• Horizons (i.e. Manawatu/Horowhenua areas)
• Invercargill
• Nelson
• Marlborough
• Northland
• Otago
• Taranaki
• Waikato
• Wellington

If members are travelling to areas with Total Mobility services outside the listed locations they need to apply for an OUT OF TOWN Total Mobility voucher. This can be done by phoning or emailing Council: enquiry@ncc.govt.nz

Who can use Total Mobility?

This scheme is only 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 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. We suggest you 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 vouchers.

Approved Total Mobility agencies contact details

Participating transport services operators

Accessibility Concession

Nelson City and Tasman District Councils are excited to offer a free Accessibility Concession, providing more travel options for community members who cannot drive. This concession includes free travel for the cardholder and their support person ("plus one companion").

The concession, loaded onto a Bee Card, aims to enhance independence and accessibility. To use it, link your Ridewise card (with photo ID) to a Bee Card at Nelson City Council’s customer service centre.

If you don't have a Bee Card, you can buy one for $5. Remember to carry your Ridewise card as drivers may request to see it. If you need a support person, their information will be added to your Bee Card, allowing them to travel for free without needing their own Bee Card.

If you have any questions, then please call Nelson City Council Customer Services on 03 546 0200.

Mobility Parking Permit

The Mobility Parking Permit is a different scheme CCS Disability Action Nelson Marlborough. Find out more on our Mobility Parking Permit page.

Find out more

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions or more information or assistance contact enquiry@ncc.govt.nz or call  546 0200.

Downloads

• Nelson City Council Total Mobility Terms and Conditions (277KB PDF)