The NSW Nationals have launched a petition to save the Regional Seniors Travel Card after it was paused by the Minns Labor Government on 7 July.

From 7am on that date no further applications are being accepted, although existing card holders can continue to use their card until it expires.

“I was quite shocked that they did that,” said Neighbourhood Centre Co-ordinator Cathy Wheelhouse. “I don’t know why they’ve stopped it.”

“I’ve helped lots of people to get the card and they use it for fuel or to go on a bus or train.”

While the Nationals say that the move means "the NSW Labor Government has prioritised Sydney projects over regional seniors", Transport for NSW have advised that the card has been paused to address concerns with the use of the card for other purposes.

Since 2020 more than one million cards have been issued, with the aim of helping seniors maintain their independence by easing the cost of travel.

NSW Nationals Upper House MP and Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads says he has launched the petition to prevent the government from axing the card completely.

"The $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card has become a local lifeline for seniors in our community," Mr Farraway said. 

“Holding a $250 regional travel card allows seniors to take a trip to visit friends and family, travel for a doctor’s appointment, or visit the shops to pick up groceries."

“The government has taken the drastic step of suspending all new applications for the Regional Seniors Travel Card and has launched an investigation into how seniors use their cards.

“Only two weeks ago the government announced subsidised travel for seniors using their opal cards in Sydney and in the same breath suspended new applications for the Regional Seniors Travel Card."

Trips on trains and buses will still be subsidised.

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said thousands of people have already signed an online petition to stop the move.

“The Labor Government has completely underestimated how valuable the Regional Seniors Travel Card is to seniors living in regional NSW,” Mr Saunders said. “As I travel across the state seniors are worried the travel card will be cut."

However, a spokesperson for the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads says the halt has been called as a result of flaws in the system.

“The Minister has instructed the department to pause applications for the Regional Seniors Travel Card following the confirmation this card operates in the same manner as the Regional Apprentice and University Students Travel Card and could be used to pay for non-travel related expenses at service stations, such as cigarettes and junk food," the spokesperson said. 

“The department has been directed to investigate options to remediate the issues this card has and report back to the Minister.” 

More than 330,000 Regional Seniors Travel Cards have been issued so far this year.

“We as a government are committed to spending public money in the best interests of the people of NSW, and the fact is, this does not seem to meet that benchmark in its current form," the spokesperson said.

“Most people do the right thing, but when it comes to taxpayer money, every effort needs to ensure the funds are spent as they are intended.”

The pause on the Regional Seniors Travel Card means no help with fuel for essential trips.

With an estimated price tag of at least $82.5million there are also hints that the cost of the Regional Seniors Travel Card has drawn the new government's attention in their efforts to balance the state's budget.

The Nationals say that the NSW Labor Government has also laid down plans to cut the $250 Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card and that it would be a "backward step" to cut these cost of living measures.

The NSW Treasurer delivered an Economic Statement in parliament last month, revealing that NSW is on track for a record $187.5 billion in debt. 

The Labor government also claims to have identified a $7 billion black hole of unfunded programs.

The regional travel cards could well be considered as part of a plan to get the state's finances into shape.  

The Budget will be delivered on Tuesday 19 September 2023 and a government spokesperson said this is when the fate of the regional travel cards is likely to be finalised.