Dubbo TAFE, uni students to trial state-first $250 travel card ahead of NSW rollout

Dubbo-based TAFE and uni students will be the first to test out a NSW-first $250 travel card to ease the cost of travel. Find out when it will be rolled out statewide.

The card will help TAFE students get to classes and training. Picture: Supplied

Dubbo-based university and TAFE students will test out a new $250 travel card, the first of its kind in NSW, to help ease the cost of getting to classes or training.

The state government’s Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card will be rolled out in full across the next few months, but about 100 trainees and students from Dubbo will be the first cohort of guinea pigs to help fine tune the card.

As part of the prepaid debit card, students in regional NSW will be able to use it to help cut the cost of fuel or public transport for travel to classes or field-based training.

Two Dubbo students, Luke Prentice and Jayden Gash, said the card would help trainees like themselves across regional NSW.

“My wife and I have a young son and have just bought a house in Dubbo and with interest rates rising, any help with our costs is much appreciated,” Mr Prentice said, who added he’d use it for fuel.

A Dubbo TAFE trainee at work. Picture: Supplied

The card will help TAFE students get to classes and training. Picture: Supplied

“Having moved to Dubbo from London, where I didn’t even need a car, I am well aware of the greater distances in regional NSW we face to get to work and training.”

Mr Gash said the extra $250 would also help him knock back the price of a full tank.

“As an apprentice refrigeration mechanic, I have to travel from Dubbo to Bathurst once or twice a month to attend TAFE, and the new travel card to pay for fuel is much appreciated,” he said.

Deputy Premier and Regional NSW Minister Paul Toole said thousands would benefit from the initiative.

Regional Transport Minister Sam Farraway (centre) talks with TAFE trainees in Dubbo ahead of the trial in the area. Picture: Supplied

“This card will put $250 in the pocket of thousands of people in the regions to help them with the cost of travel in gaining a qualification – from apprentice chefs and chippies to those studying to be teachers,” he said

The deputy premier hoped the student card would have a similar impact to the seniors equivalent.

“We’ve seen how much of a difference the one million Regional Seniors Travel Cards we’ve distributed in the past three years have made to the everyday lives of seniors – and this will help a whole other generation working towards their future career.”

Deputy premier Paul Toole said he hoped the card would have the same success as the senior’s card equivalent. Picture: Jeff Williamson

The card can be used to help cut fuel costs for travel to classes or training. Picture: iStock

Regional Transport Minister Sam Farraway said the trial would help finetune the card application process before the full release.

“Parents and partners can also use this card – if you drive your kid or your loved one to tafe, uni, training or work, encourage them to apply for a card to help you with the cost of fuel,” the minister said.

“The cost of getting to work shouldn’t be a barrier for people who are working to secure a brighter future for themselves.”

The card will be released to apprentices and trainees over the age of 16 across next month and then to university students from late April. Australian students and trainees in a designated regional area NSW, outside of Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, are eligible.

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