Community Link are the approved assessor for Total Mobility in the Waimate District.

We now have 5 trained assessors who can help you with your application. To book phone 03 6896226

There is a small fee of $15 per assessment which we pass on to Ecan to cover the cost of the card.

To find out more about how it works, please read the information below.

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).

How does it work?

Electronic cards are used to access the Total Mobility subsidy.

When you travel, present the driver your Total Mobility card at the beginning of your journey to receive the subsidy. The driver will tap (or swipe) your card on the electronic terminal. Each card is coded and uniquely numbered and records details of the journey and fare.

At the end of the trip, the driver’s electronic terminal removes the subsidy from the total fare, and you pay the remaining fare. The driver will issue you a copy of the receipt.

The transport operator is then reimbursed the subsidised portion of the fare by Environment Canterbury.

What is the subsidy?

The subsidy is 75% of the fare, up to a maximum of $52.50 per trip.

For example: 

For a $20 trip: you pay $5, Total Mobility pays $15

For a $100 trip; you pay $47.50, (which is a 75% discount on the fare up to $70, and 100% of the rest), Total Mobility pays $52.50

Your support person(s) can travel with you at no charge.

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?

Approved Total Mobility agencies provide the application forms, make the assessment to see if you are eligible to join, and if so, an electronic card is ordered.

The approved agency for Waimate is:

Community Link Waimate, 1 Glasgow Street, Waimate - Phone 03 689 6226

The agency may charge an administration fee of $15 for the assessment.

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 will arrange to take one.

A replacement card fee of $15.00 will be charged if a Total Mobility card is lost, stolen or damaged. Replacement cards can be organised through the agency that completed the assessment.

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

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.

Who provides the Total Mobility transport service?

Within the Waimate Total Mobility area, the service is currently provided by:

Transport Operator: Waimate Community Vehicle Trust

To Book: 03 689 6226 9.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday

To avoid any inconvenience or delays, please book your trip as far in advance as possible. It’s important to specify that you use Total Mobility, and whether or not you require a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Further information

Up to date information on the transport operators participating in the Total Mobility scheme, and other regions that provide the scheme are available at www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/total-mobility-scheme or by calling Environment Canterbury on 0800 324636