Vouchers are used to gain the Total Mobility discount. Each voucher records details of the taxi journey taken, including the cost of the fare and the discount, and must be filled out correctly.
The general rule is: one trip, one voucher.
This rule can be waived in certain circumstances, but only by prior arrangement with Environment Bay of Plenty. When two or more people with disabilities share the same taxi only one voucher should be used for the trip.
Yellow vouchers (printed by Environment Bay of Plenty in books of 25) are used in the Bay of Plenty. The books are distributed by Environment Bay of Plenty to accredited agencies, who in turn supply their own members or clients.
Only those vouchers stamped with an accredited agency number and distributed by Environment Bay of Plenty, will be redeemed.
The date, details of the trip the user intends to make, the number of passengers and the user’s ID number should be filled out while waiting for the taxi. The origin and destination of the journey should be fairly specific; a street address (364 Frazer St, 94 Allen Rd, etc) or a well-known land mark (Bayfair, polytech, hospital, Pak ’N Save, etc). At the completion of the journey fill out the fare and discount amounts, sign the voucher and hand it to the taxi driver. The driver will check the user’s ID card, fill in his or her cab numbers, taxi company and name, and will indicate which fare tariff applies for that trip.
There is no reason why a user's family, friends, caregivers etc (able-bodied or not) cannot share the taxi with them, but the person using the voucher must be in the vehicle for the entire journey.
If a user has any difficulty in filling out the voucher, or their disability makes it difficult for them to write or sign their name, the taxi driver will be pleased to assist.
The restrictions on the use of the scheme are as follows:
- Total Mobility vouchers cannot be used for inter-regional travel i.e. for journeys from the Bay of Plenty to another region.
- The vouchers cannot be used in the course of a user’s employment. However they can be used to get to and from work.
- Vouchers cannot be used where transport-related financial assistance is available from another official source.
- The maximum discount payable for a single journey is $20, i.e. 50% of a $40 fare.
Other than the need to comply with the above restrictions, vouchers can be used on any taxi journey, at any time. There is no other restriction on the purpose of any individual trip taken under the scheme, the frequency of use, or the distance travelled.
Under special circumstances, and with the prior approval of Environment Bay of Plenty, the restrictions on the use of the scheme for inter-regional travel and the maximum discount available for a single journey, may be waived.
Where suitable arrangements have been made with other regional councils, the use of local vouchers in other towns and cities throughout the country, is permitted; check with Environment Bay of Plenty before you go.
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