Friday, 22 February 2019
LIFE for senior citizens across the Northern Tablelands is about to get a little bit easier, with the introduction of a new $250 Regional Seniors Transport Card, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced today.
Mr Marshall said the card would be provided to aged pensioners and seniors with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card each year and could be used for fuel and taxis in country NSW as well as pre-booked NSW TrainLink train and coach services.
“Talking to people in communities across our region, the message is clear, many people are doing it tough, which is why the government has introduced a range of measures to ease the cost of living for seniors,” Mr Marshall said.
“Travel is a significant household cost faced by those living across country NSW.
“With further distances to travel, country seniors rely more heavily on their cars and that means more fuel and more money.
“Combined with the fact that many of our smaller and more remote community have no access to any form of public transport – this card will be a huge help for thousands of seniors who rely solely on their own vehicle to get around.
“This initiative is just another way the government is helping reduce the cost of living for households across the bush.”
The card will be renewable on an annual basis for two years and is available for aged pensioners, or Commonwealth Senior Health Card holders, who live in rural and regional NSW.
The NSW Government also provides concession fares to seniors, including $2.50 capped all-day travel with a Country Pensioner Excursion Ticket on NSW Trainlink Services and Regional Excursion Daily on Privately-operated local buses.
This initiative complements the suite of cost of living measures already announced by the government, including a revamped Seniors Card and energy rebates for self-funded retirees.
The $250 Regional Seniors Transport Cards will begin being issued in January next year.