FREE public transport for senior South Australians at all times is now an Australian first.
It’s a policy ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Seniors called for and it is pleased to see is now a reality with SA Labor winning the state election last Saturday.
The country’s peak advocacy organisation for older Australians says it’s a winning policy that will reduce cost-of-living pressures at a time when fuel costs are at a record high.
It was costed at just $1.26 million per annum but will bring a range of benefits more than paying for the investment.
It will help reduce traffic congestion and lower emissions. It will see seniors with more money to spend on essentials.
It’s also part of a remarkably simple system which ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Seniors says can now be a model for all states and territories.
The South Australian Seniors Card incorporates MetroCard technology, which means seniors only have to carry their Seniors Card to travel on the network whenever they want.
³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Seniors Chief Advocate, Ian Henschke says the policy is very timely for South Australian seniors doing it tough.
“Cost of living is hurting seniors on limited and fixed incomes and this move will be a big help especially when fuel costs have hit their hip pockets hard. It will also help get tens of thousands back on public transport which will have huge benefits for the environment as well as help unclog our roads,” he said.
“There’s a lesson here for all governments, state and federal. Listen to seniors and you can put in practical policies that will produce wins for all.”
