Yahoo Finance $250 worth of free travel for these Aussies
Some Aussies are set to receive $250 worth of free travel as the NSW government launches a new card to help battle the rising cost of living.
University students, apprentices and trainees in regional NSW will get access to the card, which can be used for public transport, taxi fares or petrol to fill up the tank.
Also read: $750 relief for these Aussie drivers
"We all know that when we were students we didn't have much cash," Deputy Premier and regional NSW minister Paul Toole said on Sunday.
"We were worrying about every dollar, every cent, how we were going to spend it and where it was going to be spent."
How will it work?
The prepaid debit card - will be available from next year - can be used on public transport, petrol, Opal card top-ups, taxi rides, electric charging stations and privately operated coaches.
Toole said regional students faced a number of different challenges to those in metropolitan areas, including a lack of access to public transport.
He said the $250 card would make a world of difference.
Apprentices will be able to apply for the card in February 2023, and university students will be eligible to apply in April 2023.
The card will be open to students aged 16, up to the pension age of 66 years and six months.
To be eligible for the card, students must reside in a regional area outside Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, be undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship registered with Training Services NSW, or an undergraduate university course that is full time and face to face.
They must also meet citizenship or permanent-residency requirements.
The program builds on the government's Regional Seniors Travel Card, which has been taken up by more than 1 million seniors, adding $200 million to the NSW economy.
- With AAP
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