A proposal aimed at expanding transport options for people living with impairments has been rejected by Invercargill City Council, with leaders citing concerns about passenger safety.

The issue was discussed on Tuesday during a council committee meeting reviewing the Total Mobility scheme. The programme provides subsidised transport for people with disabilities who cannot easily use standard public transport.

As part of a national review, the Ministry of Transport suggested allowing new providers to join the service. This could include ride share companies such as Uber, which supporters believe could increase availability and flexibility for users.

However, Invercargill’s mayor Tom Campbell submitted feedback on behalf of the council raising concerns about the safety record of some ride share services. The feedback referenced national data related to sexual assault, inappropriate touching, and offensive language involving drivers.

“Disabled people are some of the most vulnerable in the community and Government funding should only be available where their safety can be assured," Campbell wrote.

He said the council would normally support opening the scheme to new providers, but only if stronger safety and payment protections were introduced first. Without those safeguards, the council believed the proposal could place vulnerable passengers at risk.

The Ministry of Transport has also suggested other possible changes to the scheme. These include requiring stronger evidence of impairment from applicants and introducing limits on subsidised travel. Options under discussion include a flat cap on the number of trips or a base allocation with additional trips available when needed.

Some changes have already been confirmed. In December, the government announced that the Total Mobility fare subsidy will fall from 75 percent to 65 percent. The change will take effect from 1 July 2026.

Under the current system, the subsidy applies until a regional fare limit is reached.

Council manager Doug Rogers said the present fare cap in Invercargill is $50, but the council has proposed lowering it to $40 in discussions with NZTA.

Last August the council also approved changes designed to reduce overspending within the programme. One key measure required operators to always charge passengers the unsubsidised portion of the fare, which is typically the remaining 25 percent. In the past, some operators had waived that amount.

A report prepared for the committee said contracts with existing taxi companies had now been updated, and early results suggested the changes were already having an impact.

Despite these adjustments, spending pressures remain. The council expects this year’s budget to be exceeded by about $120,000, with a projected shortfall of $83,000 next year.

The council committee endorsed the feedback letter on Tuesday. Minor revisions will be made before it is formally sent to Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upton.

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