More than 3100 seniors in the Dubbo local government area (LGA) looking to save on travel costs have already signed up to a new program in its first six weeks, Minister for Regional Transport Paul Toole reports.
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The NSW government's $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card has injected more than $50 million into regional economies, he said.
A key election commitment and two-year trial, it is geared at easing the burden of travel costs and can be used for taxis, fuel and pre-booked NSW TrainLink regional services.
Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders encouraged seniors in his electorate to sign up from January 29. More than 200,000 seniors across NSW had done so since then, among them 490 seniors in the Narromine LGA, Mr Toole reported on Sunday.
But the scheme's popularity has the Labor opposition accusing the government of a budget blowout.
Opposition spokeswoman for seniors Jo Haylen has pointed to budget figures showing the Coalition allocated $21.8 million for the first year of the card. She said the government had signed up 180,000 seniors in the program's first month, more than doubling the entire year's budget for the program.
She also criticised the minister for ruling out expanding the scheme to include seniors on a disability support pension or carers payment, saying it was "just offensive".
The MP has referred the program to the NSW Electoral Commission and to the Auditor-General.
Mr Toole defended the card, saying it was aimed at easing the burden of travel costs and helping eligible seniors stay connected to family and friends, and access essential services such as medical appointments and shops.
"We know it's popular, with more than 200,000 seniors from across the state having already signed up for the card including more than 3100 seniors in the Dubbo LGA, 1400 seniors in the Mid Western LGA and 490 in Narromine LGA," he said.
"This is a new program developed in line with the policy we announced at the election, which was costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office. Labor had no plans to ease this cost for rural and regional seniors and refused to match our commitment."
All eligible regional seniors who apply for the card, will receive the card, Mr Toole advises. Seniors can apply online, in person at a NSW Service Centre or by calling 13 77 88.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
