At the end of January 2020, a trial began for a new $250 Regional Senior Travel Card. The prepaid card will let seniors in regional and remote areas buy fuel, use taxi services or book a NSW Trainlink fare, effectively easing the costs of travel.
Each card is valid for 14 months from the date of issue with the expiry date located on the front of the card.
Eligible seniors can apply for a card now, with cards being distributed from mid-February 2020.
It is a 2-year trial covering 2020 and 2021.
To be eligible for the trial a person must be:
- Aged over 66 years
- Receiving the Age pension (you must have received the Age pension for at least one month; or
- Receiving either a Service Pension; Disability pension under the Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 or a War Widow(er) Pension
- A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holder (you must have held your card for at least one month); and
- Living in a designated regional area of NSW outside of Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
Services Australia (formerly known as the Department of Human Services) or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs can issue Age Pension payments or the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
As the trial expands over the following months, it will include more seniors receiving pensions from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
It will be necessary to have received one of the above pensions for at least one month before you can apply for the card.
Recipients of all other payments are ineligible.
Register your Interest
On the Service NSW website there is a Register Now point to enable a person to receive an email or SMS text to find out when they can apply for the trial expansion.
The Practicalities of the Card
The Card will be pre-loaded with $250 to pay for travel-related expenses over the phone, online and at retail outlets.
It is a pre-paid, non-reloadable Visa card with a 4-digit PIN and a magnetic strip on the back. It can be used Australia-wide, including in metropolitan areas and with interstate travel.
"We are delivering on this commitment to help seniors travel to and from essential services and make it easier and more affordable for them to remain connected with friends and family," Deputy Premier John Barilaro said.
The trial period will allow for testing of the card, its workability and any issues that may become apparent.
For further information:
Phone: 13 77 88
Search: Service NSW Regional Senior Travel Card
or visit a Service NSW Service Centres
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