As fuel prices hit new highs a new $250 travel card will help apprentices and university students with the costs of travelling to work, training or university.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole announced the initiative on Sunday 30 October.

“We know apprentices and university students in the bush often need to travel long distances for work or between training, classes and practical learning – and this is about easing that burden,” he said. 

“It puts $250 in their pocket to help them cover the cost of filling up the tank or catching public transport to campus.”

Scott McAdam has been a plumber in Bourke for 23 years and trained seventeen apprentices during that time. “My apprentices have all had to travel a 1200km round trip to Tamworth for one week, every five weeks. This adds up to a lot of fuel and dollars and this Travel Card will be a huge help,” Mr. McAdam said.

First year plumbing apprentice Garren Smith, said the $250 would be a big benefit. “We don’t get paid a lot as an apprentice. I drive my car to and from TAFE in Tamworth and this money will help a lot towards fuel”, Garren said.

ABOVE: Scott McAdam

Another first year plumbing apprentice, Damon Brookman explained how it was a ten hour trip by bus to Tamworth for him to attend his training.

“It costs about $50 for a ticket one way, but the problem is we have to have two days off to get there and back. This Travel card will be good, I might be able to jump in with Garren or pay dad for running me over there,” Damon said.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said apprentices will be the first to access the card under the two-year trial which will open to applications from February next year with uni students to follow in April.

“Whether you’re a 16-year-old mechanic apprentice or a 60-year-old university student studying teaching, if you live in the bush you may be eligible for the travel card,” Mr Farraway said.

“The prepaid debit card can be used for taxi trips, fuel, Opal card top ups, public transport and privately-operated coaches, and electric charging stations.”

Eligibility details for next year's trial are yet to be released.