SuperGold Card

Regional councils have responded positively to the Government's SuperGold Card free travel funding review, Associate Minister of Transport Nathan Guy told Parliament yesterday.

Dunedin's biggest commuter bus companies want to accept Transport Minister Steven Joyce's guarantee they will not make a loss if a cut to the SuperGold Card Free Travel Scheme is approved - but they both want more detail.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce guarantees Dunedin bus companies will be compensated so they can continue to be part of the SuperGold card free transport scheme.

Pensioners may have to pay for what were once free bus trips when the Government reduces its SuperGold Card Free Travel Scheme bus subsidies.

"Kill it or pay the cost" is Otago Regional councillor Stephen Woodhead's advice to the Government on its Super Gold Card concerns.

Winston Peters is making another pitch for the Grey Power vote.

Free off-peak travel for elderly people under the SuperGold card is set to exceed its annual $18 million budget and the Government is looking at ways of reining it in which may impact on services.