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SuperGold Card holders in the Hutt Valley should be worried by Transport Minister Steven Joyce’s plans to monitor the costs of free off-peak travel on public transport on a monthly basis, says Rimutaka MP Chris Hipkins.
“Mr Joyce has indicated that although the scheme is currently running within budget, he plans to ‘see what the numbers are each month’. This suggests a lack of commitment from Mr Joyce to this very successful and popular scheme,” Chris Hipkins said.
“Free off-peak travel for SuperGold card holders was set up and funded by the previous Labour government to give our senior citizens greater mobility and access to goods, services and social activities in their communities.
“The scheme has made a real difference to the lives of Hutt Valley seniors, giving them more freedom to make travel plans without having to take cost into account, and enabling them to maintain closer contact with family and friends.
“I receive positive feedback on this initiative whenever I visit rest homes and speak to older residents in Rimutaka, who constantly tell me how much they appreciate the free public transport and the greater freedom it allows,” said Chris Hipkins.
“Mr Joyce’s comments that he will be regularly monitoring the cost of the scheme provide little reassurance to Hutt Valley seniors that free off-peak travel is here to stay. Instead it seems the Government has no confidence in the scheme, and is willing to put it in jeopardy because of its overwhelming popularity.”
Chris Hipkins said that his concerns for the future of the scheme were further exacerbated by continued opposition to the initiative by ACT, the Government’s confidence and supply partner.
“Free off-peak travel has provided many benefits to Hutt Valley seniors. The Government must reassure our older residents that the scheme won’t be jeopardised simply because of its own success,” Chris Hipkins said
“Mr Joyce has indicated that although the scheme is currently running within budget, he plans to ‘see what the numbers are each month’. This suggests a lack of commitment from Mr Joyce to this very successful and popular scheme,” Chris Hipkins said.
“Free off-peak travel for SuperGold card holders was set up and funded by the previous Labour government to give our senior citizens greater mobility and access to goods, services and social activities in their communities.
“The scheme has made a real difference to the lives of Hutt Valley seniors, giving them more freedom to make travel plans without having to take cost into account, and enabling them to maintain closer contact with family and friends.
“I receive positive feedback on this initiative whenever I visit rest homes and speak to older residents in Rimutaka, who constantly tell me how much they appreciate the free public transport and the greater freedom it allows,” said Chris Hipkins.
“Mr Joyce’s comments that he will be regularly monitoring the cost of the scheme provide little reassurance to Hutt Valley seniors that free off-peak travel is here to stay. Instead it seems the Government has no confidence in the scheme, and is willing to put it in jeopardy because of its overwhelming popularity.”
Chris Hipkins said that his concerns for the future of the scheme were further exacerbated by continued opposition to the initiative by ACT, the Government’s confidence and supply partner.
“Free off-peak travel has provided many benefits to Hutt Valley seniors. The Government must reassure our older residents that the scheme won’t be jeopardised simply because of its own success,” Chris Hipkins said
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