SENIORS living in regional NSW will receive a $250 transport card to make it more affordable for them to get around, but only if the Nationals Party is elected.
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When the NSW leader of the party, John Barilaro, was in Bathurst last week, he said the Regional Transport Seniors Card was one of the party's "centerpiece election announcements".
"Each and every day in Sydney, people have access to subsidised public transport because of the train network, something to the tune of $1 billion a year, and this was our unique way of supporting people in regional NSW, especially our seniors, who are doing it tough," he said.
"We've heard the stories. They're missing out on visiting their local doctor, going and getting a specialist checkup or visiting family and friends."
Mr Barilaro said the details of the card itself were still to be worked out, but essentially it would provide seniors with $250 annually that they can use to pay for public transport or purchase fuel.
"For the first time, we are giving them flexibility about the choice of and mode of transport, including filling the car up with fuel," he said.
The idea was inspired by a similar program in Western Australia.
Mr Barilaro said the Nationals plan to roll the card out from January 1, 2020. Information has already been sent out to seniors about the plan.
The election promise has been criticised by the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate for Bathurst, Brenden May, who has labelled it "a disgusting display of bribery".
- WATCH: Brenden May discusses seniors transport card with resident.
In a video posted to his campaign page on Facebook, Mr May and resident Margaret Sharkey said the Nationals and member for Bathurst Paul Toole were merely trying to secure the seniors vote.
"This is just another bribe and hopefully there will be enough people [who] see through it and have enough integrity than accepting $250 and voting for him," Ms Sharkey said.
Mr May claimed that the seniors community was "extremely disappointed" by the proposal after being "taken for granted" for too long.
"People can see through what the National Party are trying to do here. The National Party are running scared," he said.
"Let's face it, they're puppet politicians panicking at the moment and they're doing whatever they can to try and secure up the votes of anyone they can."
