Thunder Bay transit fares set to rise to $2.75 a trip

Superior Morning4:32Bus Fares in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay transit fares are set to go up, and some city councillors say that's not ... "fare."

If you ride the bus in Thunder Bay, Ont.,you mightsoon be paying 10 cents more per trip.

Thunder Bay council approved the fare increase Thursdaynight as part of its budget deliberations.

Fares were originally slated to rise by five cents, to $2.70, but Coun.Rebecca Johnson said riders she spoke to supported paying $2.75.

"They're saying they lose a nickel or a dime because they don't have nickels or dimes to pay for this, and why can't they just have it at $2.75 and be done with that?" she said, adding council should refrain from raising fares next year.

Coun.Paul Pugh protested the measure, saying it lowerstaxes on the backs of the poor.

"They're taking transit because they have to, and they don't have money, so this is the last group that we should be hitting for solving our problems," he said.

City administrators said the change wouldadd approximately$74,000 to city coffers.

The budget is yet to be ratified.