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Accessible travel Accessible travel

Auckland Transport is continually striving to improve services for people with access challenges and those with limited mobility.

Through guidance from the Public Transport Accessibility Group (PTAG) we hope to make using public transport in Auckland a positive experience.

Bus accessibility information

All bus services welcome passengers accompanied by service dogs or disability assist dogs.

Around 91% of Auckland buses have super low floors and the ability to kneel to meet the curb, or have wheelchair ramps fitted to allow easy access for wheelchair users.  New buses are being introduced regularly to increase the number of wheelchair access buses in service.

To ensure that there will be a wheelchair access bus on your bus route at the time you wish to travel, we recommend you contact the operator the day before you travel. Find a list of contact numbers.

Bus access dimensions for wheelchairs

For guidance only:  Wheelchairs, some mobility scooters and larger style pushchairs can be carried on a bus subject to the following restrictions:

  • Maximum length: 1200mm.
  • Maximum width: 700mm.
  • Maximum weight: 300kg  (combined weight of wheelchair and user).

Please note: for space reasons, buses are unable to carry large mobility scooters and the measurements above should be used for guidance only. For information about carrying pushchairs and prams see Luggage on public transport.

The mobility devices described above are deemed to be for disabled passengers and exclude personal motorised mobility devices, such as Segways, which may not be carried on passenger services.

A row of seats towards the front of most buses is identified as especially available for the elderly or those with access challenges. Please help us make these passengers' journey easier by allowing them to sit in these seats.

Kneeling bus services

A number of operators run "kneel on request" bus services. To get a bus to kneel, simply ask the bus driver.

Wheelchair accessible bus services

Services such as the 321 Hospitals bus, 380 Airporter, 007, Northern Express and all LINK Services are operated by Wheelchair Accessible Buses which are specially designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Please check with your service operator to confirm your wheelchair meets size and weight requirements.

On-request audio and braille

Improvements to our bus services are always being made, with recent examples including on-request audio announcements (by pushing the yellow button) and Braille signage at bus stops with Real Time signs. New signage is also being installed with larger icons and fonts for those with visual impairments.

Plus One Bus Companion

The ‘Plus One Bus Companion’ will enable the support person of a Total Mobility card-holder to ride an Auckland Transport Bus at no charge, when travelling together.

A Plus One Bus Companion may be a different person for each bus trip. It can be anyone the Total Mobility card-holder wants it to be – a spouse or partner, family member, friend, child or professional caregiver. It can even be a different person for each journey.

How does it work?

  • An AT Total Mobility Card is required to access this concession. People with the ‘old green card’ will need to apply for a new card, to access this concession.
  • When an AT Total Mobility card holder tags onto an AT bus, they advise the bus driver the person accompanying them is their ‘Plus One’.
  • The bus driver will then issue a paper ticket to the ‘Plus One’ person, for which there will be no charge.
  • That paper ticket will need to be shown upon request.

Watch the NZ sign language video 

For questions, please call 09 366 6400 or contact the New Zealand Relay Services (nzrelay.co.nz)

Plus One Bus Companion - Information sheets

English large text (PDF 96KB)

Te Reo (PDF 127KB)

Samoan (PDF 128KB)

Tongan (PDF 131KB)

Chinese (simplified) (PDF 144KB)

Korean (179KB)

Train accessibility information

All train services welcome passengers accompanied by service dogs or disability assist dogs.

Wheelchair access and mobility scooters on the train

Wheelchairs may be carried at any time. Electric trains are designed with automatic ramps located on the central carriage doors providing a seamless transition between the platform and the train. When boarding, use the middle carriage of each 3 car train or the second and fifth carriage of the 6 car trains.

Platform markings

To assist passengers in wheelchairs, AT Metro are currently rolling out train station platform markings to indicate where to wait on the platform to board the central carriages with automatic ramps. These markings are planned to be completed at all train stations on the Auckland rail network at the end of 2017.

Train station platform markings for wheelchair access

Train stations which currently have platform markings are:

  • Avondale
  • Ellerslie
  • Fruitvale Rd
  • Glen Eden
  • Glen Innes
  • Greenlane
  • Henderson
  • Homai
  • Kingsland
  • Manukau
  • Manurewa
  • Meadowbank
  • Middlemore
  • Morningside
  • Mt Eden
  • New Lynn
  • Onehunga
  • Orakei
  • Otahuhu
  • Panmure
  • Papakura (platforms 1, 2 & 4)
  • Penrose - P1 & P2
  • Puhinui
  • Ranui
  • Sturges Road
  • Sunnyvale
  • Swanson
  • Sylvia Park
  • Takanini
  • Te Mahia
  • Te Papapa

Train access dimensions for wheelchairs

Mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be carried on the Auckland rail network, subject to the following restrictions:

  • Maximum length: 1350mm.
  • Maximum width: 650mm.
  • Maximum laden weight: 300kg (200kg for diesel trains in service between Papakura and Pukekohe).

These dimensions and weights are necessary to enable safe negotiation of the loading ramp.

The mobility devices described above are deemed to be for disabled passengers and exclude personal motorised mobility devices, such as Segways, which may not be carried on passenger services.

If you require assistance boarding the train or travelling on the train, please ask either the on-board or platform staff.

Parnell station access

Parnell station is currently unsuitable for wheelchair and mobility customers until further construction is carried out. Please use an alternative nearby station (Newmarket, Britomart). Find out more about the Parnell station project.

Find train transport operator contact details.

Ferry accessibility information

All ferry services welcome passengers accompanied by service dogs or disability assist dogs.

Wheelchairs can be taken aboard most ferries, please check with the ferry operator before travelling. If you require assistance boarding the ferry from a suitable waiting point, please contact the ferry operator to arrange this in advance. If you require assistance while travelling on the ferry, please ask the on-board crew.

Find ferry transport operators' contact details.

Concessionary fares

Concessionary fares are available to passengers who hold one of the following photo ID cards:

  • Auckland Transport Total Mobility ID card.
  • Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind ID card.

The concession allows the above card holders to purchase a one way child cash fare at any time.

The ID card must be shown when the ticket is issued and when boarding the bus, train or ferry.

Accessibility maps

Accessible Map Closeup

View the Be Accessible map (PDF 5MB)

Auckland Council has created an Access Map of Auckland's CBD with information about Auckland's accessible bus routes, taxi stands, street gradients, accessible parking spots and more. Information can be found on the Be. Lab website.

Mobility parking permit

Mobility Parking Permit allows you to park near your destination in accessible reserved parking spaces, or park longer than the stated time in certain car parks and metered spaces.

To learn more or to apply for a mobility parking permit, visit the CCS Action Group website.

Public Transport Accessibility Group

The Public Transport Accessibility Group (PTAG) is a regional group facilitated by Auckland Transport.

Members include representatives of Auckland Transport, Auckland Council, accessibility interest groups (such as disability sector organisations) and contracted public transport operators in the Auckland region.

The group’s vision is to see to the provision of accessible, affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable public land transport services for disabled people in the Auckland region. This includes oversight of the Total Mobility scheme.  

Meetings are held monthly at the Town Hall, Auckland CBD. Representatives from the main disability groups attend these meetings and raise issues on behalf of their members. If you have a transport issue please contact your representative so the item can be added to the agenda for discussion.  

Read the PTAG Terms of Reference (PDF 32KB)

If you have a transport accessibility issue, please call the AT Public Transport contact centre on (09) 366 6400 or contact us.

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