Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall is urging the region’s seniors to claim their 2021 $250 Regional Transport Card.
Wednesday, 26 May 2021
WITH the easing of COVID-19 restrictions the region’s seniors are getting out-and-about, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing 8,372 applications have so far been made for the second year of the $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card trial.
Mr Marshall said it was fantastic to see the keen response to the pre-paid Visa card program, which this year alone has collectively generated $2.09 million in savings for local senior citizens.
“The card puts $250 into the pockets of eligible seniors to spend on pre-booked NSW TrainLink, regional train and coach services, fuel, and taxis,” Mr Marshall said.
“Since February the number of constituents who have signed up to take advantage of this program has more than doubled, with the Armidale Regional and Inverell local government areas leading the charge with more than 2,000 applicants each.
“We have seen huge improvement in the number of people from Moree Plains (810 applicants), Gwydir (662 applicants) and Uralla (516 applicants) Shire Councils utilising the cards.
“Across the Northern Tablelands there are almost 14,000 people who are eligible to apply for the saving and I encourage those who are yet to apply to hop-aboard and head to their closest Service NSW Service Centre.
“We know how much seniors value this card – it can mean the difference between an extra few trips to visit grandkids, the ease of seeing friends locally or just getting to the shops or attending medical appointments.
“The card injected more than $60 million into regional economies in the first year of the trial, putting money in local cash registers at a time when it was needed the most.”
Eligible seniors have until 30 November 2021 to apply. Seniors must be an age pensioner with a valid Pensioner Concession Card or hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card issued by either the Department of Human Services or Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Applications for the Regional Seniors Travel Card can be made online at www.service.nsw.gov.au, or by calling 13 77 88 or by visiting a Service NSW Service Centre.