❓ Dr. Walker questions the Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport regarding the Regional Pensioner Travel Card, focusing on eligibility, cost calculations, and future projections. The Minister provides data on card issuance and forecasts, expressing confidence in budget alignment.
AnsweredQoN 651Legislative Council
Asked
14 October 2025
Member
Portfolio
Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Regional Pensioner Travel Card, and I ask: (a) how many Western Australian citizens are eligible for the Regional Pensioner Travel Card at present, and how does that number compare to eligibility in each of the last five financial years; (b) overall, our population demographics are such that, in any given year, we might expect an increase in aged pension eligibility of between 16% (based on 2022 data) and 20% (extrapolated out to 2036); what annual increase does the Department of Transport work to when calculating the cost of the Regional Pensioner Travel Card each year; and (c) how many eligible card holders does the Department envisage by 2036, and is the Minister confident that the projected budget will keep pace with this increase?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 November 2025
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport
Response time
9 days
(a) In 2024-25, there were 60,185 Regional Pensioner Travel Cards issued which is a 3.7 per cent increase compared to 2023-24. The average annual increase in card holders over the previous four financial years was 1 per cent.
(b) A Regional Pensioner Travel Card is issued on application and is not based on the number of eligible aged and veteran pensioners in regional areas.
The Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure bases the annual increase of the travel card on the number of new applications anticipated for the following year and on historical data, which currently reflects a growth rate of approximately 3 per cent per annum. The value of the travel card, currently $775, and any increase in its value is also considered when calculating its overall cost for the upcoming year.
(c) Based on current estimates, the anticipated number of card holders to the end of 2028-29 is:
Card Volume Estimate
2025-26
61,991
2026-27
63,850
2027-28
65,766
2028-29
67,739
For the purposes of funding, DTMI forecasts to a maximum of four out years. Based on current usage, the projected budgets are expected to remain aligned with the anticipated number of travel cards to be issued.
(b) A Regional Pensioner Travel Card is issued on application and is not based on the number of eligible aged and veteran pensioners in regional areas.
The Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure bases the annual increase of the travel card on the number of new applications anticipated for the following year and on historical data, which currently reflects a growth rate of approximately 3 per cent per annum. The value of the travel card, currently $775, and any increase in its value is also considered when calculating its overall cost for the upcoming year.
(c) Based on current estimates, the anticipated number of card holders to the end of 2028-29 is:
Card Volume Estimate
2025-26
61,991
2026-27
63,850
2027-28
65,766
2028-29
67,739
For the purposes of funding, DTMI forecasts to a maximum of four out years. Based on current usage, the projected budgets are expected to remain aligned with the anticipated number of travel cards to be issued.
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