Illawarra senior citizens can apply for a $250 travel card to help them get around - unless they live in Wollongong.
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The state government's Regional Seniors Travel Card can be used to help pay for fuel and taxi fares, as well as book TrainLink and coach services.
But the government has limited it to "regional, rural and remote areas", which means that Shellharbour and Kiama residents can apply, but Wollongong residents can't.
It's a decision that had prompted one MP to call for clariity around what "regional" means.
It's an omission that also bothers Wollongong MP Paul Scully.
"It is simply outrageous that a pensioner living at Lake Illawarra can access the full benefits of the travel card to save cash on fuel and taxis while the same pensioner living on the other side of the Windang Bridge in Windang can't," Mr Scully said.
"The government's decision to exclude Wollongong pensioners and veterans from eligibility for the $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card can be reversed today by the stroke of a pen."
The rollout is being tested in a three-week pilot at Coffs Harbour.
Eligible seniors can apply for the card at a Service NSW Service Centre, via service.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 77 88.
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
