$250 travel card

Many seniors living in the Richmond and Clarence Valleys will again save $250 on fuel and taxis in 2023 thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Seniors Travel Card, with applications now open, Clarence Nationals candidate Richie Williamson has announced.

“This is a classic NSW Nationals initiative that would never happen under Labor: the principle is that city seniors get discounted travel on a massively subsidised public transport network we don’t have here, so our local seniors deserve help to get around too,” Mr Williamson said.

“Applications have now opened for the Regional Seniors Travel Card, a $250 pre-paid Visa card that can be used 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.”

Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said he wanted the number of cards issued this year to break the 2022 record, when 362,000 cards were issued.

“I really encourage all eligible seniors to get their applications in and save themselves $250 on travel costs for this year,” Mr Farraway said.

The Regional Seniors Travel Card has injected $196 million into regional economies, with more than one million cards issued since the scheme started in 2020.

Mr Williamson said that in broad terms, to be eligible people needed to be of age pension age and receiving some form of support from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs or hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

“To check if are entitled to this card and to apply please go online at service.nsw.gov.au, visit your local Service NSW shopfront or call 1800 569 070,” Mr Williamson concluded.