The organisation which controls bus routes and is responsible for the total mobility scheme in a large New Zealand city has included in their 10 year plan a submission to decrease the 50% subsidy for total mobility trips.
This would see the cut off point for the subsidy reduced from $35 to $30. Many people require this scheme to function normally in society. Also included in the transport plan is the cutting of 6 bus routes which will discriminate against disabled people. They will be isolated without any affordable public transport options.
Indirect discrimination against people with disabilities is arguably a denial of their human rights. Lack of accessibility to public transport can have a devastating impact on individuals and should be a tenet of accessibility legislation.
This is a story about the barriers many face. We're sharing it because we want a law that puts accessibility at the heart of an inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.
What's your story?