The NSW government has committed $246 million to extend the successful Regional Seniors travel card for a further two years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Since the program started in January last year, more than 330,000 regional seniors have signed up for the card.
The Regional Seniors travel card helps ease the burden of travel costs for eligible seniors in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW by providing a $250 prepaid visa card to be used towards pre-booked NSW TrainLink, regional train and coach services, fuel, and taxis.
Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said from next year, the card will be expanded to include seniors who have reached age pension age and are receiving a disability or carers pension.
Q&A What is the regional seniors travel card?
The regional seniors travel card is a prepaid Visa card pre-loaded with $250 to assist eligible seniors in regional, rural and remote areas to offset the cost of essential travel expenses.
What can the regional seniors travel card be used for?
The Regional Seniors Travel Card can be used to pay for:
- Pre-booked NSW TrainLink, Regional train and coach services
- fuel
- taxi trips
The card can also be used to pay for other transport services such as privately-operated coaches or selected community transport providers. However, it can only be used with operators that are able to accept prepaid Visa cards and are using one of the included merchant category codes. Seniors should check with community transport providers if they are able to accept the card.
When will newly eligible applicants be able to apply for a card? Applications will open to the expanded eligible applicants from January 2022.
How long do customers have to use the card? The $250 regional seniors travel card will expire 14 months from the date it was issued. The expiry date is printed on the front of the card.
Who will be eligible to receive a regional seniors travel card from 2022?
- A valid Pensioner Concession Card;
- A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- A Disability Pension or a Carers Payment from Services Australia
- A Service Pension issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs
- A Disability Pension through the Department of Veteran's Affairs under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
- A War Widow Pension issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs
When will applications open for round three?
You can apply for a 2022 card from January 2022 to November 2022.
Seniors can apply online at service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88.
