Cheaper travel for country seniors

All Seniors Card holders will be able to travel half-price on Mondays and Fridays on V-Line ticketed trains and buses from July 1.

Aged Care Minister Bronwyn Pike and Transport Minister Peter Batchelor have announced an extra $250,000 per year to extend the travel concessions.

Currently, Seniors Card holders who live beyond Geelong, Ballarat, Kyneton, Seymour and Traralgon can only travel at concession prices on off-peak services on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, if they do not qualify for pensioner concessions.

From July, Seniors Card holders will be able to travel half-price on all V/Line Passenger services on Mondays and Fridays—making concessions available to all Seniors Card holders on weekdays.

‘Currently, a Monday economy fare from Mildura to Melbourne is $118.40 but with the new concession for Seniors Card holders, the fare will drop to $59.20,’ Ms Pike said.

‘This is a substantial saving for older people. Most Seniors Card holders are on limited fixed incomes and this significant price drop will make public transport cheaper and more accessible for older people.’

Ms Pike said the Bracks Government was committed to making public transport more affordable to all members of the community, especially older people.

Ms Pike said the new fare arrangements would benefit people travelling to and from areas such as Mildura, Swan Hill, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, Shepparton, Sale and Bairnsdale.

‘This move will encourage Seniors Card holders to travel within Victoria and boost the local tourism industry,’ Ms Pike said.

Seniors Card holders already receive discounts on metropolitan transport services every day but, at present, discounts are limited to Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on public transport in most of country Victoria.

The Government will finalise arrangements with national express and other operators for implementing the cheaper fare structure by the proposed start up date of July 1.

This is addressing one of the biggest concerns of independently funded retirees who have been seeking to have concession prices extended to all weekdays for many years.