MARSHALL LAUNCHES PETITION TO SAVE REGIONAL SENIORS TRAVEL CARD

MARSHALL LAUNCHES PETITION TO SAVE REGIONAL SENIORS TRAVEL CARD

Thursday, 15 June 2023

Photo caption: Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, right, launching a community petition to save the $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card today, alongside Armidale University of the Third Aged Treasurer Doug Barber.

MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today officially launched a community petition to fight to save the NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card from being axed in the State Government’s upcoming September Budget, with a large group of local residents and local seniors outside Armidale Train Station.

“Despite being asked multiple time since the election, the new government has refused to rule out giving the Regional Seniors Travel Card the chop at the end of this calendar year,” Mr Marshall said.

“With many of our local seniors already feeling the cost-of-living pinch, axing this travel card would represent a major blow at a time when our seniors need this assistance the most.

“The $250 prepaid card can be used for pre-booked rail travel, coaches, taxis and even fuel for a private vehicle.”

Mr Marshall said 12,034 Northern Tablelands seniors currently had a travel card, representing savings for them in excess of $3 million each year.

“Axing this card would impact aversely on local seniors who travel on public transport or drive themselves for cancer care treatment, various medical appointments, to visit their families, children, grandchildren and other important needs.

“After lobbying the previous government, this card is now available to those on a disability support or carers pension (if you are of aged pension age), as well as those on an aged pension, service pension or a war widow pension.”

Mr Marshall has formally asked the Minister for Regional Roads and Transport in Parliament to guarantee the continuation of the travel card beyond 2023.

“Disappointingly, the Minister gave no assurance, instead telling Parliament the entire program is ‘under review’ – this gives rural and regional seniors no comfort or certainty whatsoever.

“Axing this program would be a heartless and cruel blow for our local seniors and I’m hoping we can send a very strong message via this petition to the government and Macquarie Street and rural and regional people want to see this travel card continue.”

Across NSW, more than 1 million seniors currently access the Regional Seniors Travel Card.

Paper copies of the petition is also available at Mr Marshall’s Armidale and Moree Electorate Offices for signing and distribution.

Recent Articles

UNIVERSITY LIGHTS UP WITH $425,000 BOOST FOR BELLEVUE OVAL

13th May 2024

Photo caption: Celebrating news of a $425,000 State Government grant for SportUNE to install new lighting at Bellevue Oval,... Read More

NEW-LOOK BITUMEN SEALED HORTON ROAD OFFICIALLY OPENED

13th May 2024

Photo caption: Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, and Gwydir Shire Mayor John Coulton officially opening the Horton Road... Read More

URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO SAVE HISTORIC ROCKY RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL

10th May 2024

Thursday, 9 May 2024 NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall is calling on the State Government to take urgent action to... Read More