Less than four months after applications opened for the third year of the NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card, more than 300,000 people have gotten on board.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole said the program, which gives recipients a $250 prepaid Visa card to use on fuel, taxis, pre-booked NSW TrainLink Regional trains and coaches, and select community transport services, has received a record customer satisfaction rating of nearly 100%.
“These cards are incredibly valuable to our seniors in regional, remote and rural areas because it helps them offset some of their travel costs for getting to the shops, to medical appointments, and staying connected locally and with friends and family living in other parts of the state,” Mr Toole said.
“The program also supports the economy, with more than $186 million spent through the Regional Seniors Travel Card since its introduction in 2020.
“This includes more than $157 million injected into the NSW regional economy, and $5 million spent in metropolitan areas of the state.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway said seniors in the Local Government Areas of Murray River, Muswellbrook and Bogan have been the most enthusiastic applicants for the 2022 card, with the highest percentage of eligible participants signing up.
“In 2022, eligibility for the card was expanded to also include seniors on a Carer Payment or Disability Support Pension and it is great to see many of these newly eligible people take up the opportunity,” Mr Farraway said.
More than 4,380 cards have so far been approved for seniors on a Carer’s Payment, which is well over half of those who are eligible. Nearly 20% of the eligible seniors on a Disability Support Pension have also signed up.
Fuel continues to be the most popular purchase on the card, followed by taxi trips and then train and bus fares.
Seniors living in designated regional, rural and remote areas of NSW can apply for a travel card if they have reached the Age Pension age (66.5) or have a Service, Disability or War Widow(er)’s pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs, a Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment from Services Australia, or a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
The 2022 cards are contactless, making payments safer and easier for cardholders, and are made from 85.5 per cent recycled plastic.
Eligible seniors have until 30 November 2022 to apply for this year’s card. More information can be found at: service.nsw.gov.au/regionalseniorstravel.
