The Hon. Aileen MacDonald MLC has welcomed the quiet return of the 3 and 6-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes to the booking system, describing it as a win for regional communities and proof of the power of people speaking up.

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“Just as quietly as the Government ‘paused’ these affordable passes without consultation, they have now reinstated them because regional people would not accept being left behind,” Ms MacDonald said.

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Earlier this year, the NSW Government removed the longer-term Discovery Pass options leaving only 14-day and 30-day passes that were far more expensive and less flexible for regular users.

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Ms MacDonald led parliamentary debate on the issue, sponsored a petition in the Legislative Council, and championed the concerns of students, families and older residents who relied on the longer passes to stay connected.

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“This is a real victory for the communities who spoke up. People shared their personal stories, signed the petition, contacted MPs and refused to let this go quietly. They made sure their voices were heard and it worked.”

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“These passes are not a luxury. They’re essential for students travelling home from university, older residents visiting family, and regional people accessing health care and events without the cost or stress of driving long distances.”

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Ms MacDonald said the outcome showed that regional people should never have to beg for basic services that metro passengers take for granted.

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“This result proves that when we stand up together for fairness and equality, we can make change. I’ll keep fighting to make sure our travel options in regional NSW stay open, affordable and equitable.”