Cook Govt's Cost-of-Living Boost Aids Regional Pensioners

• Usage of the Regional Pensioner Travel Card rises by almost 30%
• Boost follows $100 increase to the value of the card, from $575 to $675 per annum
• Card can be used by eligible pensioners towards the cost of fuel or taxi travel

More pensioners in regional Western Australia are benefitting from the Regional Pensioner Travel Card, after the value of the card was boosted by the Cook Labor Government.

Used by eligible pensioners towards the cost of fuel or taxi travel, the card is now worth $675 per annum, following a $100 increase as of 1 July.

Figures released today reveal there has been a 28.85 per cent rise in usage of the card for fuel since its value was increased last month. The top three regions were the Goldfields, the Mid West and the Kimberley, with increases of 39.05 per cent, 37.62 per cent and 36.43 per cent respectively.

Since 1 July, 54,900 cards have been issued across the State, with $2.9 million of fuel and taxi fares purchased using the card in the same period.

Announced in the 2024-25 State Budget, the $20.3 million boost to the program is an important cost of living measure for regional pensioners. It builds on the Cook Government's commitment to providing cost of living relief for regional Western Australians.

Initiatives such as electricity bill credits, the recent boost to the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme and the Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme are all helping to ease financial pressure. In addition, WA Seniors Card members continue to have access to a valuable range of State Government concessions and rebates.

To be eligible for the travel card 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 be living in an eligible regional location.

For more information contact the information line on1300 666 609 or visit the website:www.wa.gov.au/travelcard

As stated by Premier Roger Cook:

"It's great to see so many people in regional WA benefitting from my Government's increase to the Regional Pensioner Travel Card.

"This program is about easing cost of living pressures, so pensioners have an extra $100 back in their pockets each year.

"It's just one of the ways we're supporting seniors and doing right by regional WA."

As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:

"Providing cost of living relief remains our Government's top priority and I am delighted to see such good uptake of the Regional Pensioner Travel Card.

"Around 55,000 regional pensioners have already benefitted from the increased travel support, which will go some way to easing the extra costs associated with regional travel.

"Residents in regional WA do not have access to metropolitan levels of public transport, so it's important to offer some extra assistance to bridge that gap and help our country pensioners stay connected with their communities."

Fuel usage per cent increase since the introduction of the new card with increased value (1 July, 2024 - 2 August, 2024) compared with same period in 2023: