Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana has confirmed people with mobility impairment will be able to travel on the region’s buses for free from July 1st.
The scheme will allow eligible customers to travel for free on all Bay of Plenty Regional Council contracted urban and inter-regional bus services, 24 hours a day, whenever a Public Transport bus service is operating.
People eligible for the concession will include anyone with a permanent mobility impairment that means they cannot drive a private vehicle.
The permanent mobility impairment can be physical, intellectual, psychological, sensory or neurological. The scheme does not include people with temporary disabilities or care givers.
Regional Council Public Transport Committee Chairman Cr Andrew von Dadelszen says the scheme allows for accessibility, affordability and independence.
“It will provide greater region wide access to schools, tertiary institutes, employment and civic services for people with specific mobility impairments,” Cr von Dadelszen says.
“The introduction of free fares for people with disabilities in the Waikato Region has resulted in greater independence and flexibility around when they can travel and has allowed them to save more money.”
For further media information, please contact media@boprc.govt.nz