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- Nov 16, 2004
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There was an AFF lunch in Canberra earlier this month that I wished to attend.
So as per normal, research began on flight options. I soon recoiled - either too expensive or at timings best described as unfriendly. Where awards were available they too were pretty poor value. (I have come to the conclusion that with carrier charges these days, domestic awards are basically unviable unless you are points rich - which I am not.)
On a whim I started playing around with land transport options and costs and noticed that for those with Australian State based Concession/Seniors Cards there were some cost effective choices with the main caveat being they required time and, lots of it.
An XPT from Southern Cross Station connecting to a bus at Cootamundra would cost under $60 each way.
OK, I knew that as a Victorian Seniors card Holder I could get a 'free' off peak return trip from Melbourne to Albury.
Looking at NSW Transport the Albury/Canberra fare was under $40 with one or two hour connections at Albury.
Then I found that if booked within 7 days, NSW has a concession scheme where any economy regional travel (in this case West of Goulburn) was $2.50 one way!
Aha! Why not? The worst that could happen would be that a train/bus would be sold out within the required seven days and I could not travel. Doing regular dummy bookings over time, I found that this was rare - the main thing I saw was the First class fare for the 2½ hours between Albury and Cootamundra would occasionally be unavailable but as First class was not available for the $2.50 fare it could be discounted.
Off I went to Mordialloc, the nearest station to me that could sell VLine tickets. Shortly there after I had my free tickets for a Southern Cross - Albury return. Out 7:07am on a Friday to Albury 10:43am and back 5:27pm the following Sunday arriving 9:45pm.
I booked accommodation in Canberra for two nights at a cost that was around the same as a one way airfare between MEL and CBR.
Then the wait until T minus seven days began.
www.ptv.vic.gov.au
So as per normal, research began on flight options. I soon recoiled - either too expensive or at timings best described as unfriendly. Where awards were available they too were pretty poor value. (I have come to the conclusion that with carrier charges these days, domestic awards are basically unviable unless you are points rich - which I am not.)
On a whim I started playing around with land transport options and costs and noticed that for those with Australian State based Concession/Seniors Cards there were some cost effective choices with the main caveat being they required time and, lots of it.
An XPT from Southern Cross Station connecting to a bus at Cootamundra would cost under $60 each way.
OK, I knew that as a Victorian Seniors card Holder I could get a 'free' off peak return trip from Melbourne to Albury.
Looking at NSW Transport the Albury/Canberra fare was under $40 with one or two hour connections at Albury.
Then I found that if booked within 7 days, NSW has a concession scheme where any economy regional travel (in this case West of Goulburn) was $2.50 one way!
Aha! Why not? The worst that could happen would be that a train/bus would be sold out within the required seven days and I could not travel. Doing regular dummy bookings over time, I found that this was rare - the main thing I saw was the First class fare for the 2½ hours between Albury and Cootamundra would occasionally be unavailable but as First class was not available for the $2.50 fare it could be discounted.
Off I went to Mordialloc, the nearest station to me that could sell VLine tickets. Shortly there after I had my free tickets for a Southern Cross - Albury return. Out 7:07am on a Friday to Albury 10:43am and back 5:27pm the following Sunday arriving 9:45pm.
I booked accommodation in Canberra for two nights at a cost that was around the same as a one way airfare between MEL and CBR.
Then the wait until T minus seven days began.
Country Pensioner Excursion tickets
Travel for $2.50 across regional NSW with a Country Pensioner Excursion ticket. For eligible seniors and pensioners. Conditions apply.
transportnsw.info
Seniors - Public Transport Victoria
If you're a Victorian senior, you may be eligible for a free Seniors myki and 50 per cent discount on travel, as well as other benefits.
