Low-income bus pass gets go-ahead from Winnipeg city council

Winnipeg's city council approved a plan Thursday that will see the cost of transit passes for lowincome earners dropgradually over the next three years, bringing the price for those who qualify to half the regular rateby 2022.

Councillors voted 15 to 1 in favour of the program, with North Kildonan representative Jeff Browatybeing the single nay.

Anti-poverty advocate Al Wiebe was one of several people who spoke to councilin favour of the plan. Wiebesaidhe hashad to make a choice in the past between buyingfood or paying for transportation to get to a job.

"I have had to turn down jobs because I could not afford transportation costs to get to the job and back. If I did, we wouldn't be eating," Wiebe told councillors.

Currently, a full-fare monthly bus pass for an adult costs $100.10.

Several people told city council thateven a 50 per cent reduction in a bus pass wasn't enough for those on the lowest incomes.

The first phase of the reduction will start in May 2020, and will mean a 30 per centdiscount ona full-fare monthly adult pass. The discount will increase by 10 per cent each year after that for the next two years.

Based on currentfees, the lowincomemonthly pass would be priced at $70.07 in year one, $60.06 in year two and$50.05 per month when the program is fully implemented.

EIA recipients, newcomers will be eligible

Eligibility will be limited to adults aged 18-64,as seniors already receivea 50 per cent discount and youth riders currently get a 30 per cent reduction for a pass.

To qualify for the pass an applicant must be ina household with an income level below the StatisticsCanada low-income cut-off, enrolled in Manitoba'sEIA program, or be a refugee or newcomer to Canada who has been in the country less than one year.

Browaty, who voted against the plan, called it "well-intentioned," but believes it isn't the best use of scarce funds. He also expressedconcernsit signalsthe city is taking on the responsibilities of other levels of government.

"Most social programs like this, for highneed individuals and low-income folks, is the responsibility of the province of Manitoba," Browaty said at council.

The move comes with a significant cost to the city's coffers.

The loss in fares for Winnipeg Transitis projected to rise to more than $7.3 million by 2024, based on the assumption that 78,000 low-income passes will be sold.

The city hopes to recoup some of those losses by selling more passes at the discounted rate.