SuperGold entitlements won't change - minister

Transport Minister Steven Joyce has promised superannuitants there will be no changes to transport concessions provided by the SuperGold card.

Joyce gave the assurance to reporters this morning after last week raising the possibility cuts to the off-peak travel privileges provided to those aged over 65.

On Thursday last week Joyce said the definition of "off peak services" was being reviewed as part of a cost-cutting exercise because the card was becoming too expensive.

The following day Joyce blamed "scaremongering by political opponents" for any suggestion the Government was planning to cut the free off-peak urban rail, bus, and ferry services provided under the gold card.

This morning Joyce said he took responsibility for the confusion, and said that the intention of the Government had "got a little bit lost in translation".

"It was always the intention, to focus on the subsidy levels (to transport operators)," Joyce said.

"It was a bit imprecise on Thursday. The Government never had any intention to alter the availability of services for SuperGold card recipients."

Joyce pledged that all the services currently available to superannuitants would remain including the high-cost Waiheke Island ferry, operated by Fullers.

Prime Minister John Key confirmed this, but said the Government still wanted to negotiate a better deal with transport operators.

"If you look at someone like Fullers, there's been a windfall gain for them in terms of the patronage on the Waiheke ferry. That's a good thing, lots of people are enjoying that, but on behalf of the taxpayer we can get a better deal out of Fullers and it's my expectation Steven Joyce will go and negotiate that."

Key reiterated that the entitlements for SuperGold card users would not change.