Seniors living in the Dubbo electorate will continue to benefit from the Regional Seniors Travel Card, with applications for year two to open on Monday, 18 January, 2021.
The Regional Seniors Travel Card is a $250 prepaid Visa card designed to assist eligible seniors in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW offset the cost of essential travel expenses.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the card was a huge success in the first year of a two-year trial, which saw more than 337,500 applications across NSW.
“The regional seniors travel card was an election commitment by the NSW Nationals, and it has been an overwhelming success in its first year,” Mr Saunders said.
“More than $60m has been spent in our regional communities, putting money in local cash registers at a time where it has been badly needed.
“In the Dubbo electorate we had 4961 people access the card, which provided $1.24 million worth of fuel and travel to our local seniors.
“The card makes travelling more accessible and convenient for our seniors in the bush who often have less transport options than those living in big cities like Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
Eligible seniors have from 18 January to 30 November 2021 to apply for a card.
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. They must also permanently live in regional NSW outside Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
With ongoing concerns about coronavirus, we are encouraging seniors to apply online at service.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 77 88, rather than visiting a Service NSW Service Centre. For those who need to, locations of the nearest Service NSW Service Centre location at service.nsw.gov.au.