GRT looks to scrap senior, student and low-income fares, introduce 48% discount

Waterloo region is looking at new ways to help make transit more affordable for lower-income people in the region.

This week, staff will propose a new Low-Income Transit (LIT) Program that would offer discounted fares to region residents who are living on a low income.

"[Transit fares] can be a barrier to integrating in the community, moving around and attending events," Peter Zinck, director of transit services with the region told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.

The LIT program would replace existing programs for low-income residents as well as any discounted fares currently offered to seniors and students.

The discountwould amount to48 per cent off monthly passes, and any stored value on EasyGo cards.

The new program would alsobe means-based, meaning students and seniors not living on low incomes would lose discounts and concessions for which they were previously eligible.

Not enough

The news is cold comfort for some anti-poverty activists who say not only is the change a long time coming, but it'salso not enough.

"Realistically, the direction that we need to be heading towards is a no-fee access for public transportation," said Regan Sunshine Brusse, member of the Alliance Against Poverty. "The amount of people that have this need are only increasing, [and] we need to be doing more, and quickly."

She also said the LIT program may not be enough, particularly for low income people who live far outside the city centres and have to rely on buses, as well as people who can't afford the $10-minimum required to load a GRT Easy-Go card.

"I do question whether the options that are going to be offered to our public are actually going to be adequate, despite the good intention," she said.

The proposal estimatesthe LIT program would have up to 8,600 customers and would cost the region roughly $680,000 per year.

"This really isn't a budget exercise," said regional councillor Sean Strickland. "This is about how we can consolidate the programs that were currently offering and provide better service to people living in low income in waterloo region."

If council votes in favour of the proposal, the issue would then be taken to the budget process later in the fall for further discussion, with a final decision being made later in the year.