Seniors across regional NSW are coming out in force to take a stand against Labor’s plan to axe the Regional Seniors Travel Card.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said thousands of people have signed an online petition to save the card, after the Minns government suspended new applications.
“The Labor Government has completely underestimated how valuable the Regional Seniors Travel Card is to seniors living in regional NSW,” Mr Saunders said.
“This is a major issue for seniors from Tuncurry to Tottenham and Tweed Heads. As I travel across the state seniors are worried the travel card will be cut.
“It is more important than ever that everyone has their say by signing the petition to save the card which has over one million users and has been running successfully for three years.”
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said Labor is looking for any reason to cut funding from regional NSW.
“I am appalled Labor has decided to set its targets on our seniors, who are our most trusted cohort and play an enormous role in our communities,” Mr Farraway said.
“The government has taken the drastic step of suspending all new applications for the Regional Seniors Travel Card and has launched an investigation into how seniors use their cards.
“Only two weeks ago the government announced subsidised travel for seniors using their opal cards in Sydney and in the same breath suspended new applications for the Regional Seniors Travel Card. This is another case of the Minns government prioritising Sydney over regional NSW,” he said.
Nationals Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson said seniors in her electorate use their travel cards every day.
“I hear new stories every day from seniors in my electorate about how they use their travel cards and how it has made their lives a little bit easier,” Mrs Thompson said.
“Living on the mid-coast is beautiful but it can be harder for our seniors to travel long distances or simply make it to essential appointments.
“We want to send a message from Myall Lakes to the government that the Regional Seniors Travel Card is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” she said.
To sign the petition to save the Regional Seniors Travel Card, visit: www.savethetravelcard.com.au
