New PAssion Silver Concession Card to offer seniors concession fares and discounts

More perks to help seniors stay active and engaged
Free card for citizens aged 60 and above offers discounts on courses, travel, shopping
By Toh Wen Li, The Straits Times, 5 Dec 2016

Seniors will soon get to enjoy more perks with a new free card - which offers concession fares on public transport and discounts on items such as groceries and plane tickets.

The PAssion Silver Concession Card was launched yesterday to make it easier for seniors to stay active and be engaged in the community. It will be free for every Singaporean aged 60 and above. The new card merges the Senior Citizen Concession and PAssion cards.

Spearheaded by the health and transport ministries and People's Association, the initiative was launched as part of the $3 billion Action Plan for Successful Ageing.

Holders of the new card will enjoy discounted rates for PA community clubs' courses, activities and facilities, and at merchants such as Giant and Cold Storage. Those who are also KrisFlyer members get 5 per cent off Singapore Airlines fares. Over 1,000 PAssion Merchant outlets are involved in the initiative.

Seniors will also get concession fares - at least 25 per cent off the adult fare - on public transport.



Senior Minister of State Josephine Teo said: "We hope the card will facilitate (seniors') active lifestyles by helping them get from place to place comfortably, conveniently and more affordably."

The card was launched yesterday in Commonwealth Crescent by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, PA deputy chairman Chan Chun Sing and Mrs Teo. Mr Gan said it was a way for Singaporeans to show "love, respect and support for our seniors", and, in turn, encourage seniors to "learn new things and make many new friends".

Said Mr Chan: "I hope many more agencies will join us in coming together to integrate the services for our elderly population. We (also) hope many more merchants will join us in this effort."

Yesterday's launch attracted a crowd of about 1,500 seniors, who were also treated to a getai show.

Housewife Chan Lye Chow, 68, a PAssion Card and purple concession card holder, said the new card would be "useful" and make life more convenient.

Madam Chan, who has attended courses at PA community clubs, said she was glad seniors are being encouraged to stay active. Her advice to fellow seniors: "Don't stay at home. Make a lot of friends."

Her view was shared by coffee shop assistant Normah Selamat, 72: "There are so many things (offered)... (For) travel, discounts, courses. I will make new friends."

The 620,000 or so Singaporeans who now hold the purple Senior Citizen Concession Card for public transport will have their new silver card automatically mailed to them from this month till March 31; the card is to be activated by May 31.

Meanwhile, the 135,000 or so Singaporeans without the Senior Citizen Concession Card will receive an invitation pack from this month onwards. Those who turn 60 from next February will receive the pack in their birthday month.

Those in these two groups who do not apply for the new card by the deadline stated in the pack will still receive it but will not get concession fares on public transport.

Seniors can apply via the TransitLink website, mobile services app, or in person at TransitLink ticket offices or concession card replacement offices.

For more information about the card, seniors can call the TransitLink hotline on 1800-2255663, which operates daily from 8am to 6pm, except on public holidays.

Related

New PAssion Silver Concession Card for Seniors to Stay Active and Engaged in the Community -4 Dec 2016