Statement: EDA Vets travel free on public transport

[ozbob]

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Saturday, November 10, 2012

EDA Vets travel free on public transport

All Queensland veterans living with extreme disablement will soon be able to travel for free on public transport services across Queensland.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said from 1 January 2013 veterans who hold a Commonwealth Veterans' Affairs Repatriation Health Card—for All Conditions (Gold) which is embossed EDA (Extreme Disablement Adjustment) will be able to apply for a travel pass.

"The current free travel pass is already available to totally and permanently incapacitated veterans and will now be extended to EDA veterans," Mr Emerson said.

"This closes a loophole for about 2,300 veterans aged over 65 living in Queensland and will help more diggers get out into the wider community and will relieve cost of living pressures.

"Providing them with access to free public transport will also increase their well-being and quality of life.

"Eligible veterans will be entitled to travel for free on TransLink bus, rail and ferry services in south-east Queensland (excluding Airtrain) and urban bus and ferry services in regional Queensland."

Mr Emerson also said the free travel for EDA veterans brings Queensland into line with other states, and cost the Queensland Government $146,000.

"This is just one of the many ways that the Queensland Government is working to make public transport the choice for all users."

Eligible veterans must apply for a travel pass to access the concessions with information available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au.

Veterans are encouraged to use public transport services when attending Remembrance Day events this Sunday.

[ENDS] 10 November 2012

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Comment:

Welcome, however perhaps extend free travel to all gold card holders and extend concession fares to all health care card holders. 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th November 2012

EDA Vets travel free on public transport - comment

Greetings,

A welcome initiative extending free travel to EDA Veterans.

More needs to be done however.  The present fares for public transport in South East Queensland are simply too expensive.

See call for a fare review,  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9193.msg112157#msg112157

Further steps should include extending free travel to all DVA gold card holders, all Senior pensioners free off peak travel - concession fares peak, extending concession fares to ALL health care card holders (as for every other state and territory in Australia).

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Saturday, November 10, 2012

EDA Vets travel free on public transport

All Queensland veterans living with extreme disablement will soon be able to travel for free on public transport services across Queensland.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said from 1 January 2013 veterans who hold a Commonwealth Veterans' Affairs Repatriation Health Card—for All Conditions (Gold) which is embossed EDA (Extreme Disablement Adjustment) will be able to apply for a travel pass.

"The current free travel pass is already available to totally and permanently incapacitated veterans and will now be extended to EDA veterans," Mr Emerson said.

"This closes a loophole for about 2,300 veterans aged over 65 living in Queensland and will help more diggers get out into the wider community and will relieve cost of living pressures.

"Providing them with access to free public transport will also increase their well-being and quality of life.

"Eligible veterans will be entitled to travel for free on TransLink bus, rail and ferry services in south-east Queensland (excluding Airtrain) and urban bus and ferry services in regional Queensland."

Mr Emerson also said the free travel for EDA veterans brings Queensland into line with other states, and cost the Queensland Government $146,000.

"This is just one of the many ways that the Queensland Government is working to make public transport the choice for all users."

Eligible veterans must apply for a travel pass to access the concessions with information available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au.

Veterans are encouraged to use public transport services when attending Remembrance Day events this Sunday.

[ENDS] 10 November 2012

===============================

Comment:

Welcome, however perhaps extend free travel to all gold card holders and extend concession fares to all health care card holders.

[ozbob]

Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) is a small but significant subset of DVA Disability Pension type.  It is only for veterans with extreme degree of incapacity, over 65 years of age not eligible to apply for Intermediate or Special Rate (TPI).  There are not that many, and in many cases the degree of incapacity may be such that they may actually have great difficulty in using public transport. None the less for those who can a good move the free travel.  More --> http://factsheets.dva.gov.au/factsheets/documents/DP30%20Extreme%20Disablement%20Adjustment.htm

Consideration should be given to extending free travel to all DVA gold card holders.  Many of these people do deteriorate and perhaps by encouraging more social mobility a longer and better " quality of life and well being  ... " better long term cost savings will return. Same argument for Seniors generally.

DVA Gold Card holders presently have concession fare entitlements.