Regional travel card: State government refuses to rule out fund scrap as regional students locked out

A $250 travel card for NSW’s regional and rural students could be rolled back with university applications still closed amid uncertainty over its future.

A travel card for regional NSW students faces an uncertain future.

The state government has thrown a $250 travel card for bush students in doubt with applications still closed amid uncertainty over its future, although Labor queried the program’s cost and effectiveness.

The Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card was introduced by the previous government, costing $98 million in June’s 2022-23 budget. The prepaid card gives regional trainees, apprentices and university students $250 towards education-based travel. It’s currently in the first stages of a two-year statewide trial.

“We have a young son and just bought a house, any help with our costs is appreciated,” Dubbo trainee Luke Prentice previously said, who used it for fuel.

However, the card has been thrown into doubt by the Minns administration, unable to confirm its longevity as it was revealed university students are unable to apply.

Applications were slated to open in April but the Services NSW website lists a “date (yet) to be confirmed” for university students to get their hands on the card.

Former Regional Roads Minister Sam Farraway (third-left) and now NSW National leader Dugald Saunders (centre) with mock-ups of the card in Dubbo in February. Picture: Supplied

Former Regional Transport Minister Sam Farraway, who introduced the card, called the uncertainty “cruel”.

“We know the difference this card is making and will continue to make across regional NSW,” Mr Farraway said.

“The uncertainty is cruel, we’ve got a cost of living crisis and this type of program is on the chopping block.”

He said the trial “looked like it was going to be successful” and feared the rollout would be stalled until September’s budget “then cut”.

New NSW Nats leader Dugald Saunders said the card was a “welcome boost” and called for clarity.

At Question Time, Finance Minister Courtney Houssos refused to confirm the program’s lifespan, explaining costs had blown out and queried what the card was being used for.

A screenshot of the Services NSW card application portal, which still shows, on May 28, a university student lockout.

“It was underfunded by the previous government who used internal funding, taking away from other projects,” Ms Houssos said, who revealed it cost $750 to deliver one $250 card.

“There is no way to guarantee what the money is being spent on, people could buy cigarettes or lollies.”

NSW Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said it was “appropriate the government fully reviewed the program” and suggested funding was better spent elsewhere.

“Given the terrible state of regional roads, it is unclear why the former government chose to prioritise a $250 card, rather than investing more in emergency road repair funding,” she said.

NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos said the program wasn’t working. Picture: Tim Pascoe

NSW Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison. Picture: David Swift

“The state of our roads is a cost of living issue for many in regional NSW in terms of lost productivity, damage to vehicles and time off the road”.

Mr Farraway said funding was found from underspend and costed for, and road repairs had received specific, new funding.

He rejected the assertion you couldn’t be sure what the $250 was being used for.

“It’s the same method as the senior’s travel card, there are merchant codes established through Westpac and service stations,” Mr Farraway said.

A war of words erupted over what the travel card could be used for: fuel or lollies. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

“You cannot buy lollies or cigarettes, only the merchant code established for fuel can be used.”

The card can only be used at travel-related stores with the required merchant code. However, the code pertains to the shop as a whole, not a specific purchase, with the responsibility falling on the user and merchant to ensure it’s spent on travel-related expenses.

The program is currently open to regional and rural apprentices, trainees, and TAFE students.

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