Sam Farraway MP and Paul Toole MP with the Regional Seniors Travel Card, a $250 prepaid VISA card designed to ease the burden of travel costs.
Good news for seniors looking to get out and about as the COVID pandemic eases! The Regional Seniors Travel Card, a $250 prepaid VISA card designed to ease the burden of travel costs, is available to eligible seniors in the Central West.
Increased funding will allow the card to be extended from 2022 to additional seniors in the regions, including people of Age Pension age who receive either a Disability Pension or a Carers Payment from Services Australia.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole said the Regional Seniors Travel card has provided a significant boost to businesses across the regions.
“Having an extra $250 in their pocket has made it easier for regional seniors to get to the shops and medical appointments and stay connected locally and with friends and family living in other parts of the state. It has also injected more than $108 million into regional economies, benefitting local taxi operators and fuel stations,” Paul said.
“We have been reviewing the schemes that support people with disabilities and carers to ensure they meet the needs of those in the regions, including investing in community transport and a new smart card for Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme. We know these groups would also like to be eligible for the Regional Seniors Travel Card and we are pleased to be able to make that happen as part of the next phase of this program,” Paul said.
“The card can be used for pre-booked NSW Trainlink Regional trains and coaches, fuel and taxis, making travelling more accessible and convenient for our seniors who often have fewer transport options than those living in the city.”
The regional boundaries for applicants will remain the same in 2022. For more information, along with applications for the card can be found online at www.service.nsw.gov.au, by calling 13 77 88 or by visiting a Service NSW Service Centre.