Free transit for disabled riders will continue indefinitely: council

A program that allows people with disabilities ride Hamilton's transit system for free will be allowed to continue, council has decided.

The city has a voluntary pay program for residents with wheelchairs, four-point canes, walkers and scooters. Those riders may pay the full fare to ride city buses, but are not obligated to do so.

After months of discussion, council voted Wednesday to continue that program indefinitely. It will stay in effect until the city works out a better program, possibly one with a means test, Coun. Sam Merulla said.

The city thought it had to change its program by Jan. 1 to comply with new provincial legislation. But the Ontario Human Rights Commission has clarified that as long as the city is working toward a new specialized program, it can continue with voluntary pay, said Merulla, who represents Ward 3.

"We're working toward that, so in essence, it mitigates any issues surrounding that," he said.

"We've found our solution."

The current program includes visually impaired riders with CNIB cards.

Don Hull, director of transit, told councillors earlier this month that offering a program permitting riders who have low incomes and disabilities to ride transit for free could cost the city about $2.2 million, not including staffing.