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Transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people reduced (www.rnz.co.nz)

submitted 2 days ago by Dave@lemmy.nz to c/politics@lemmy.nz

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The government is cutting transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people for elderly and disabled people from 75 percent to 65 percent.

The Total Mobility scheme provides discounted taxis and public transport fares for those with long-term impairments.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Disability Minister Louise Upston said when the previous Labour government boosted the scheme from a 50 percent subsidy in 2022, it did not account for increased demand.

The number of registered users had increased from 108,000 to 120,000 between 2022 and 2024/25, and the number of trips increased from 1.8 million in 2018 to 3 million in 2024/25.

"This is yet another fiscal cliff left to us that we are having to correct and fix. Today, the government is announcing decisions to stabilise the Total Mobility scheme so that the disability community is supported in a financially sustainable way, by all funding partners."

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[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Is it just me or does this government blame everything on Labour? As we head into another election year, somehow things happening now are still Labour's fault.

There's an argument to be made that actions tthe government have taken over the last couple of years may have directly increased the need for people to use this service

[–] deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz 5 points 1 day ago

It's the political equivalent of an abuser saying "look what you're making me do".

They've been doing the converse too by taking credit for things that the last government did.