South Australian Seniors Card members have collectively saved up to $5.1 million on Adelaide Metro travel costs since the introduction of free 24/7 travel on 1 July 2022.

Previously, SA Seniors Card members were required to pay a concession fare during peak weekday times. This change has made Adelaide Metro services simpler and easier to use for South Australian Seniors Card members, regardless of when they need to travel.

Patronage figures show that Seniors Card members have embraced free 24/7 travel, with a significant uplift in trips taken over the first 12 months of the initiative.

From just over 477,000 trips taken in June last year by Seniors Card members, the 12 months from July 2022 have seen a total patronage of 7,338,675 by Seniors Card members – a monthly average of 611,556 and a 37% increase on the previous full financial year.

More than 1.7 million trips have been undertaken by Seniors Card members in the morning and afternoon peaks during the first 12 months of the initiative, collectively saving Seniors Card members between $3.4 million and $5.1 million, depending on whether travellers would have opted for the $2 Seniors metroCARD trip or $3 paper ticket.

While members who were already travelling during off-peak times continued to do so, there has been an increase in journeys by members who would otherwise have stayed home or who would have had to make alternative arrangements to arrive at appointments.

Seniors Card members are reminded that when you receive your Seniors Card, you don’t need to do anything to access free travel; simply continue to validate your Seniors Card each time you board a service or pass through barrier gates.

Unused credit

Any unused credit on Seniors Cards can be refunded or transferred to a different metroCARD. To request a refund, please visit the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre at the Adelaide Railway Station. If you are unable to travel into the city, please call the Adelaide Metro InfoLine on 1300 311 108 for assistance (7am-8pm, daily).

There is no time limit on when you can receive your Seniors Card refund. Please travel to the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre for your refund, at a time that is convenient for you. If you would like your credit transferred to a different metroCARD, please visit the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre with your Seniors Card and the metroCARD or call the Adelaide Metro InfoLine on 1300 311 108 (7am-8pm daily).

Please note:

• Refunds at the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre will be in cash only.
• Refunds and credit transfers require the Seniors Card member to be present or available via phone.
• If you have less than $5 credit, the refund or credit transfer will need to be completed at the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre.
• Credit, and a recent validation, will still be required on Seniors Cards to access the discounted parking at the Tea Tree Plaza Park ‘n’ Ride.