A disability transport scheme used more than 4,000 times in Wānaka in the last year will continue operating as-is for now, but growing financial pressure has called its long-term future into question.

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) Total Mobility scheme provides subsidised door-to-door transport for people with long-term impairments who cannot use other transport options, with a 75 percent subsidy for the cost of using contracted taxi and rideshare operators.

“It allows people with a disability to use a form of public transport that is safe, dignified and independent,” ORC transport portfolio lead and councillor Alan Somerville said.

The scheme benefits both locals and visitors to Wānaka, ORC general manager regional planning and transport Anita Dawe told the Wānaka App.

“Areas like Wānaka which have a lot of tourism will not just provide access to transport for the local community, but also for Total Mobility card holders nationally who come to visit Wānaka as the scheme works across New Zealand,” she said.

“We definitely get feedback that having Total Mobility in Central Otago means that people with disabilities can go on holiday without the additional stress of how to get around when they are unable to use buses, and in places like Wānaka, where we don’t have public transport.”

Total Mobility use has grown substantially, with more users, longer trips and more frequent travel. Alan said the scheme “changes lives every day”, but warned the increase in demand could see it exceed its three-year budget by more than $700,000 if no changes are made.

ORC is awaiting national guidance from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the outcome of a Ministry of Transport review, which may provide additional tools to help manage the scheme, which may include the possibility of reducing the subsidy.

In the meantime, the scheme will continue operating under its current settings, while ORC raises Total Mobility funding concerns with central government.

“We are in a very difficult and unsatisfactory position,” Alan said. “We know there’s demand for Total Mobility, but funding arrangements are not meeting the costs.”

Anyone wanting to check whether they are eligible for the Total Mobility scheme can contact Community Link.

PHOTO: Wānaka App