Congratulations to Taranaki on Extending Supergold Travel
Congratulations to Taranaki on Extending Supergold Card Travel
New Zealand First congratulates the Taranaki Regional Council on extending SuperGold card travel benefits despite National limiting funding.
“The government is trying to shift responsibility for the SuperGold Card to local authorities, yet it continues to have a Minister for Senior Citizens who doesn’t do nearly enough for Seniors,” says New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.
“For six years the government prevented new transport operators from joining the scheme and offering free SuperGold Card seats. Finally, a decision was made this year. The government put a lid on funding, forcing regional councils to decide how to fund bus, rail and ferry seats for Seniors.
“All SuperGold cardholders using off-peak public transport should be able to occupy otherwise empty seats. They have asked for a fairer distribution of existing subsidies for the regions and National has neglected them.
“Giving off-peak travel encourages Seniors to get out and about, and keep in contact with others,” says Mr Peters.
ENDS