LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald OAM has sponsored a petition to the NSW Legislative Council demanding the reinstatement of three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes.
The six-month Discovery Pass, previously available for $420, offered unlimited travel across NSW TrainLink’s regional train and coach network.
The longer term passes have recently been paused by the state government, leaving only more expensive 14-day and 30-day options.
“These passes weren’t a luxury, they were essential for regional communities,” Ms MacDonald said.
“They allowed students to travel home from university, families to access medical care, and older residents to stay socially connected.
“Scrapping these longer-term passes leaves only expensive, inflexible options that just don’t work for regional travel.
“This is a quiet cost-of-living increase that hits the bush hardest.”
The petition calls on the NSW Government to immediately reinstate the longer term Discovery Passes or introduce an equivalent long-term option without delay.
Ms MacDonald encouraged all regional travellers to add their names to the petition.
“Regional people shouldn’t have to beg for basic services that metro passengers take for granted,” she said.
The NSW Government has previously stated the longer term passes were solely intended for tourism use, and were never intended as a discounted product for commuters or as a concessional entitlement.
A review is currently underway on their use.
The petition can be signed on the NSW Parliament website.
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