It’s the uncomfortable question few politicians would dare to ask. Are generous travel discounts afforded to Australia’s older citizens, especially self-funded retirees who are not means tested, sustainable? Moreover, are they fair?
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup “Students use public transport arguably far more than retired individuals, so I think there just needs to be a bit more of a conversation around this,” says O’Kelly, who recently lost her travel concessions after moving from full to part-time study.Fares paid by passengers cover between 20% and 50% of the actual cost of running the service, depending on mode type and city, according to Prof John Nelson from University of Sydney’s institute of transport and logistics studies.
In NSW, the daily cap for the seniors’ Gold Opal has stayed at $2.50 for about two decades. By comparison, child/youth and concession holders receive an $8.90 cap on most weekdays, while the price ramps up to $17.80 for the adult fare cap.Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters“You can make the case that the senior’s transport card should be based on more than just being over 60,” says Nelson.
It also recommended a review of the eligibility arrangements for the discounted fares, so that benefits were better targeted towards people who need them most.
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