Travel concessions for pensioners

Eligibility

• Concessions are available to NSW and interstate pensioners on presentation of their valid Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), although not all fare products and entitlements are available to non-NSW card holders.
• PCCs are issued to pensioners by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). They are available to people of different ages and in different circumstances, and include Aged Pensioners, Disability Support Pensioners, Single Parents and Carer Pensioners. Check which Commonwealth benefit recipients are eligible for a Pensioner Concession Card .
• Transport entitlements do not extend to dependents listed on the reverse of the card.

Concession fares

Pensioners can use their PCC to obtain transport concessions in NSW and interstate.

In NSW, pensioners have access to various entitlements but some fare products are restricted to those from particular States and Territories, and to certain services:

• Half fare concessions on rail (CityRail and long distance rail and rail/coach services), regulated local bus services, and regulated ferry services
• Excursion fares, including:
  • The $2.50 Pensioner Excursion Ticket (PET) on CityRail services, on metropolitan and outer metropolitan regulated local bus services (excluding dedicated school services), and government ferry services. It is available on private regulated ferry services but restricted to local residents reliant on the ferry as their point of entry to the metropolitan and outer metropolitan public transport network, and requires prior registration with the local operator. From 1 July 2011, the PET has been available for use on light rail services. The PET is not sold on light rail so it will need to be purchased before boarding.  See the Buying Tickets pages for information;
  • The $2.50 Country Pensioner Excursion (CPE) fare on CountryLink services provided outside of the CityRail network (only available to NSW/ACT/VIC card holders)
  • The $2.50 Regional Excursion Daily (RED) ticket on regulated local bus services or local bus network in rural and regional areas, but excluding dedicated school services.
• Free travel on CountryLink or Great Southern Rail services, with NSW/ACT Pensioner Concession Card holders entitled to a combined total of four single or two return free journeys on CountryLink or Great Southern Rail services within NSW each calendar year (booking fees apply with CountryLink for First Class Travel). Card holders from other Australian states and territories are entitled to a half-fare.

Different concession benefits may be offered in other States and Territories, so check before you travel.

Concession fares under MyZone

• Under MyZone, concession entitlements remain the same or similar to previous arrangements, although some ticket products or prices may have changed. Entitlements and ticket products will remain the same on services not covered by the MyZone structure, such as private ferries, monorail and CountryLink services.
• Half fare concessions are available for eligible pensioners on all MyZone ticket products, (except monthly, quarterly and yearly MyMulti products and the off peak return ticket on rail). From 1 July 2011, the MyMulti tickets, the PET and Family Funday Sunday tickets have been available for use on light rail.
• Pensioner Excursion Tickets will remain the same under MyZone. For more information, visit MyZone .

Entitlements

Train

Bus

Ferry

Light Rail

Monorail

Yes - indicates that concession rates are available for this product

No - indicates that this product is not available to this category of beneficiary at the concession rate.

General - Concession entitlements are not available on special or premium services, charter services, special event services or tourism services.

1. NSW/ACT Pensioners ONLY are entitled to a combined total of 4 single or 2 return journeys on CountryLink or Great Southern Rail services within NSW each calendar year (booking fees apply with CountryLink for First Class Travel). Card holders from other Australian states and territories are entitled to a half-fare.
2. The Country Pensioner Excursion ticket is only available to NSW, ACT and VIC pensioners. Cardholders from other Australian States and Territories are entitled to half fare.
3. The fast ferry services operating between Manly and Circular Quay, light rail and monorail services are privately owned and operated services. Any concession benefits or discounted tickets are provided by the operators of these services at their discretion. Check with the operator before travelling.However, as indicated from 1 July 2011 MyMulti, Family Funday Sunday and PET have been available for use on light rail.
4. Most contracted private ferry services recognise the standard concession entitlements but may have different arrangements, based on their existing contractual obligations. Check with the operator before travelling. Private ferry operators may also offer other ticket products at discounted or concession rates. For information, contact the operator. PETs on private ferries are only available to eligible pensioners and seniors who buy the ticket from the operator as their first leg of a trip across the broader public transport network.

Proof of eligibility

Pensioners are required to show their Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) when purchasing tickets, booking their free travel entitlements, travelling on concession fares, and when requested by a Transport Officer to verify their entitlement to a concession/free travel entitlement.

Pensioner Concession Card

Where to apply

Centrelink and the DVA issue Pensioner Concession Cards to eligible beneficiaries. Applications for replacement cards should be directed to the issuing agency.

How long the card can be used

The PCC is valid for a period of 12 months, to the expiry date shown on the card.

Fees

No fees apply for the issue of the PCC/replacement cards (subject to Centrelink/DVA policy).