Total Mobility Scheme eligibility criteria are nationally agreed and applied. Those eligible include people who:
- have an impairment that prevents them from undertaking one or more of the following parts of a bus, train or ferry journey unaccompanied, or in a safe and dignified manner. These parts are:
- getting to the place from where the transport departs
- getting on to the transport
- riding securely
- getting to the destination
- are unable to use bus, train or ferry services all the time (e.g. people with impairments such as epilepsy or arthritis)
- meet the criteria and have an impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last for six months or more
- live in residential care homes
- children with impairments who meet the criteria.
For further details, contact Customer Services, phone 867 2049
Eligible users can apply for a Total Mobility Card, which allows the holder to purchase discount vouchers for taxi fares. Cardholders can be issued with one book of vouchers a month at a cost of $2.50 for a book of 25 vouchers.
Total Mobility users in Gisborne receive a 50% discount on a taxi fare up to a maximum fare of $12 (a maximum subsidy of $6).
You can use a voucher if you have a Total Mobility Card for any taxi trip whether by ordinary taxi cab or maxi taxi within the city/district of Gisborne. Gisborne Taxi Society have a vehicle fitted with a wheelchair hoist. This van should be booked well in advance.
There are no restrictions on non-disabled persons accompanying a cardholder, or when you can use the service.
Application for a Total Mobility Card must be made by downloading and printing the Total Mobility Application Form or by picking up the application form at Council's Customer Service centre in Fitzherbert Street.
Having completed the form, your doctor must sign the form. The signed form plus a $10 application fee should then be returned to Council where you will have your photo taken. The Total Mobility ID card will be posted out with one voucher book containing 25 vouchers.
If you are an existing cardholder and your card needs renewing, you can download the Total Mobility Renewal Form and return it to Council by post or to the Customer Service counter at Fitzherbert St.
The Application and Renewal forms are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, and will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view/print. If you do not have this software, you can download it for free from the Adobe website 
.
Mobility Cards for vehicles are issued by CCS Tairawhiti (Inc) at 7 Ormond Road, Gisborne, Phone 06 867 1249.
Participating taxi companies are:
- Gisborne Taxi Society (ph 867 2222)
- Eastland Taxis Ltd (ph 867 6767)
- Link Taxis (ph 868 8385)
Through reciprocal arrangements, vouchers may also be used elsewhere in New Zealand where the Total Mobility Scheme operates. Use is subject to that district's conditions. Check with your local taxi companies when you arrive at your destination.
To claim the discount, Total Mobility cardholders must have their card and vouchers with them at the time of using the card.
At the beginning of the journey, let your driver know you are using a Total Mobility voucher. At the end of the journey, fill in the cost and hand it to the driver with your Total Mobility Card. The driver must view your ID card and write your card ID number on the voucher. The driver will assist you if you need help.
There are no restrictions on non-disabled persons accompanying a cardholder, or when you can use the service.