Value of Regional Pensioner Travel Card increases from today

• $100 increase in the Regional Pensioner Travel Card value to $675 per year for eligible regional pensioners from 1 July 2024
• Follows $20.3 million boost to the Card in 2024-25 State Budget
• Cook Government's responsible financial management delivering continued cost of living support for Western Australians

Eligible pensioners living in regional Western Australia are set to save, with the Cook Labor Government's increase to the value of the Regional Pensioner Travel Card coming into effect from today. The card, which can be used toward the cost of fuel or taxi travel, is now worth $675, an increase of $100.

Announced in the 2024-25 State Budget, the $20.3 million boost is an important cost of living measure for regional seniors. It builds on the Cook Government's commitment to provide relief for all Western Australians, through programs such as the regional airfare zone cap scheme, electricity credits, the free summer of public transport, free student travel for school children, and the WA Student Assistance Payment.

The card was formerly known as the Country Age Pension Fuel Card. To be eligible, you must be receiving a Centrelink Age Pension, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, or a Department of Veterans' Affairs Service Pension, Social Security Age Pension or Income Support Supplement, and living in an eligible regional location.

For more information on the Regional Pensioner Travel Card contact the information line on 1300 666 609 or enquiries@wexaustralia.com and visit the website How to apply for a country age pension fuel card | Western Australian Government (www.wa.gov.au)

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

"My Government is focused on providing real cost of living relief to all Western Australians – regardless of where they live.

"Our responsible financial management means we have the capacity to give every eligible Regional Pensioner Travel Card member an additional $100 back in their pocket every year."

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:

"I hope this additional support will go some way to easing the extra costs associated with regional travel and helps our country pensioners stay connected with their communities.

"The Regional Pensioner Travel Card complements other Cook Government initiatives like the Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme, seniors card benefits and other cost of living measures.

"Providing cost of living relief remains the Cook Government's top priority. Around 58,000 regional pensioners are set to benefit from the increased travel support."

Comments attributed to Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport David Michael:

"Pensioners living in regional WA do not have access to metropolitan levels of public transport and often have to rely on their own means to travel to access essential services.

"The Regional Pensioner Travel Card is an important tool to bridge that gap and I hope the additional funding for the program will go a long way to easing the burden on pensioners across regional WA."