Region calling on participants for affordable transit pass study

Local residents have until the end of the month to register for a research study that will look at offeringaffordable transit options forpeople living with low income.

Waterloo region has partnered with University of Waterloo and the Ontario Trillium Foundation's Local Poverty Reduction Fund for the pilot study and are currently looking for volunteers.

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"We want to learn more about the low income community, their travel needs and what people think about these new fare products," said Eric Gillespie, director of transit services in a release.

"This study will help us evaluate different passes and find a solution that works for people living with low income, and for the Region."

The study is open for those living in the region with a household family income below the Ontario Low Income Measure. For example,two people with a household income below $31,611, or a family of four with a household income below $44,704.

Those chosen to participate could get one of four different discounted passes that Grand River Transit (GRT) designed specifically for the study:

• An off-peak pass for $23 a month, which will be good for travelling outside of peak hours.
• A 20-ride pass for $25 a month, good for 20 rides at any time on regular GRT routes.
• A combo pass for $48 a monththat combines the off-peak pass with 20 rides a month.
• An unlimited pass for $65 a month.

The study will start in October and last one year.Participants will be asked to complete four surveys throughout the year.

Randomly selected participants will have the opportunity to purchase the discounted transit pass of their choice after each survey.

Everyone who takes part in the study and completes all four surveys will be able to purchase their discounted pass for five months after the study ends.

Those interested in participating in the study have until Sept. 30 to register.