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Saturday, January 11, 2025

Petition launched to save Regional Seniors Travel Card

Member for Bathurst and former Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole is driving statewide calls for the $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card to be made permanent, with fears it will be cut in Labor’s upcoming Budget.

“Transport in the city is subsidised by around $1 billion every year. That’s why we introduced the Regional Seniors Travel Card to help eligible seniors in the country with travel by providing a $250 card,” said Mr Toole.

“I want a fair playing field for people in Regional NSW and not see Labor cut this program that has seen over 1.3 million cards distributed already.”

He said seniors have used the cards on fuel, taxis, and pre-booked NSW TrainLink regional trains and coaches.

“We know how much seniors value this card – it can mean a few extra visits to the grandkids, or make seeing friends locally, getting to the shops, or attending medical appointments much easier.”

“Everyone is feeling the financial pinch and a cut could not come at a worse time for seniors who are already doing it tough enough with cost-of-living pressures.”

Member for Coffs Harbour, Gurmesh Singh, is on board with efforts to save the travel card.

Mr Singh, the Shadow Minister for Tourism, Emergency Services and the North Coast, said the card had become a local lifeline for seniors in his community.

“Holding a $250 regional travel card allows seniors to take a trip to visit friends and family, travel for a doctor’s appointment, or visit the shops to pick up groceries,” he said.

“I hope we get as many people as possible to sign this petition to convince the Minns government to keep funding this important cost-of-living measure.”

Former Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole and Member for Coffs Harbour, Gurmesh Singh at Coffs Harbour Railway Station in 2020 with local participants in the Regional Seniors Travel Card pilot Bronwyn Mackenzie (left), her husband Rod Mackenzie and Denise Gillard.

Since 2020, more than one million cards have been issued helping seniors maintain their independence by easing the cost of travel. The scheme is due to end this year.

“We all know someone in our community who benefits from the Regional Seniors Travel Card, and we all have an important reason to sign this petition,” Mr Singh said.

“Over the coming weeks I will be asking people to share this petition far and wide to save our Regional Seniors Travel Card so seniors in our community can continue to do things they love and need to do.

“The Labor Government has prioritised Sydney projects over regional seniors, and we hope this petition will convince the Minns government keep it in place.”     

To share or sign the petition to help save the Regional Seniors Travel Card, go to: www.savethetravelcard.com.au.

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