Pensioner Cards & Half Fare Entitlement * IPTAAS * SSTS * SSNTS * TTSS * Repatriation Transport Scheme * Recreation Transport Allowance * DVA Disability Pension

Ministry of Transport

Phone: (02) 9268 2800

The Ministry of Transport is responsible for developing and administering concessions policy for Government-owned and private transport services. In this regard, the Ministry of Transport subsidises transport providers so that transport concessions are offered to eligible beneficiaries. Concession beneficiaries include pensioners, seniors, school students, tertiary students, apprentices, trainees, vision impaired, welfare recipients, war widows, war veterans and ex-service people.

Further information about concession on all Government transport services can be obtained from the Ministry of Transport:

Website: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/

Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holders are entitled to the following transport subsidies:

• Free ambulance services
• Half fare rates on CountryLink rail/coach services and town bus services
• Four free travel vouchers a year for use on CountryLink services (to the NSW border)
• $2.20 Country Pensioner Excursion ticket for travel within the country area on CountryLink services
• Concessions on some coach tours.

NSW Half Fare Entitlement cards are issued by Centrelink on behalf of the NSW Government to NSW residents who are:

• In receipt of the maximum amount of relevant Commonwealth benefits; and
• registered as looking for work, unless otherwise exempt. Card holders are entitled to half fare travel on CountryLink rail/coach services and town bus services.

Centrelink:

Web: www.centrelink.gov.au

Ballina Shire
117-121 Tamar St, Ballina

Byron Shire
3 Fingal St, Brunswick Heads

Byron Shire
6 Byron St, Byron Bay

Lismore City Council
64 Conway Street, Lismore

Nimbin - the Nimbin Neighbourhood Centre
Cullen Street, Nimbin
Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm
(agency only. Provides limited services, processes forms, answers enquiries)

Richmond Valley Shire
46 Hickey Street, Casino

Phone:

• Appointments 131 021
• Retirement Services 132 300
• Employment Services 132 850
• Disability, Sickness & Carers 132 717
• TTY 1800 810 586

For information in languages other than English 131 202.

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IPTAAS provides financial assistance to people in isolated areas. It is available to people who need to travel more than 200 km one way from their home to obtain inpatient or outpatient specialist medical treatment and/or specialist oral health surgical treatment not available locally. Supporting documentation from a medical practitioner of the condition and the reason for travel is required prior to reimbursement.

As this is a referral only service claim forms with the relevant contact details are only available from your medical practitioner or specialist.

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Through the SSTS, the Ministry of Transport provides subsidised travel for eligible school students who are residents of NSW between their place of residence and the school they attend. A subsidy is also available for transport to and from school in private vehicles in areas where there is no public transport. Tertiary and TAFE students are also eligible for concessions but will need to contact their University, College or TAFE for application details.

Contact your local school bus operator or the Ministry of Transport.
Phone: 1800 227 774 TTY: 1800 637 500

Website: www.transport.nsw.gov.au

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The Department of Education and Training arranges transport under the SSSTS to and/or from school for eligible students with disabilities, behaviour disorders and learning difficulties, where parental or carer responsibility for transport cannot be met and where public transport is not an option.

Department of Education and Training
Phone: 131 071
TTY: 92 668 189

Website: www.schools.nsw.edu.au

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People with a qualifying severe and permanent disability may be eligible to participate in the TTSS operated by the Ministry of Transport. The scheme entitles participants to travel by taxi at half fare. The maximum subsidy that can be claimed is $30.00 per trip (half a $60.00 fare).

The Ministry of Transport
Phone: 1800 623 724
TTY: 1800 637 500

Vision Impaired Toll Free: 1800 095 775

Website: www.transport.nsw.gov.au

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Under the Repatriation Transport Scheme, the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) may assist with travelling expenses for eligible cardholders to attend a health provider for medical treatment within Australia.

Regional Office: Office 6 Level 1, cnr. Molesworth and Conway Sts, Lismore, NSW 2480.
Phone: 1300 551 918

DVA Head Office: Sydney
Phone: 1800 555 254

Website: www.dva.gov.au/

Recreation Transport Allowance may be paid to veterans with severe war or defence-caused disabilities (such as amputations and blindness) that affect mobility, to promote their access to recreational activities. This disability must be permanent and the veteran must be able to incur transportation costs (eg. a bedridden veteran would not be eligible).

Regional Office: 6 Level 1, cnr. Molesworth and Conway Sts, Lismore, NSW 2480
Phone: 1300 551 918

DVA Head Office: Sydney Phone: 1800 555 254

Website: www.dva.gov.au/

Regional Office: 6 Level 1, cnr. Molesworth and Conway Sts, Lismore, NSW 2480. Phone: 1300 551 918

Recipients of this pension may be eligible for a "Soldier's Pass" from the State Rail Authority which entitles the holder to:

• Up to 3 first class return rail/coach tickets per year; and
• Free bus/ferry passes for unlimited use on privately operated regular "town bus services" throughout NSW and State Transit Authority bus/ferry services in Newcastle and Sydney.

For more information on the Soldier's Pass contact State Rail Authority
Phone: 1300 302 130

DVA Head Office: Sydney
Phone: 1800 555 254

Website: www.dva.gov.au/

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Last updated: 29 March, 2007

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: All information is correct at September 2003. As timetables or services are subject to change please follow the links to the appropriate provider for up-to-date information. If you find anything on this web site to be inaccurate or out of date please contact the relevant Council so we can put it right for the next edition. In particular we strongly encourage transport operators themselves to send us the details of timetable changes and new services so we can keep the public up to date.

Comments on the web site (positive or negative) are also welcome. Email to webmaster at info@goingplaces.org.au.