There are concerns that students and apprentices will miss out on the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card.

NSW Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison says the eligibility for the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card has been mired in uncertainty.

The government announced the card in its budget five months ago with no detail.

NSW Labor has put questions to Minister Sam Farraway on multiple occasions about eligibility for the card, and how it will operate.

Jenny Aitchison says that cost of living pressures will continue for many students as residential requirements and campus eligibility remain unclear, there is still no guarantee regional bus operators will be able to accept it, and the trial will not start until many students have already travelled to their campuses to commence their studies.

Ms Aitchison is also concerned that students or apprentices living in metropolitan areas may not be eligible for the card and will be discouraged from travelling to regional areas.

Jenny Aitchison, NSW Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, said:

“Travel costs are increasing all the time and for many students are a major cost of living issue.  At a time of critical skills and labour shortages in our regions, it is vital that no one is left behind.

“The government has been tricky by being vague on the card’s eligibility, and still hasn’t addressed a number of university campuses where students are not able to access concession cards.

“It’s starting to smell like just another botched rollout from the Government, just as we saw with the regional seniors travel card which initially excluded seniors on disability, veteran and carer pensions, and which hasn’t been available on buses outside the Opal Card Network."