A one-year sliding scale affordable Guelph Transit bus pass pilot program will begin on Friday.
Eligibility will continue to be determined as income below the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO), and deeper subsidies can be offered based on level of income as a percentage of LICO. All current affordable bus pass holders will receive a notice identifying their new rate which is broken into three tiers:
- Tier A: $4
- Tier B: $20
- Tier C: $31-$37.50 (depending on age)
The affordable bus pass policy better enables Guelph residents who are living in low-income households to access transit through the purchase of monthly passes at a more affordable, discounted rate.
In June 2021, Council approved a recommendation to update the existing affordable bus pass program to better serve people living on a low income based on the Low-Income Cut Off thresholds and accounting for people who experience sudden changes in income.
The result was a new three-tier system that better ensures access to transit at a rate affordable to each individual.
Council passed an affordable bus pass amendment Thursday, allowing for the approval of a 12-month pilot project to reduce the cost of Guelph Transit fares for those living below the low-income cut-off.
Coun. Mark MacKinnon introduced the affordable bus pass amendment, which was approved at a cost of $385,000 during the council procedural budget meeting.
This motion has no impact on the 2022 budget because it is a one-year pilot project which council supported during the second quarter of the year.
Dominica McPherson, director of the Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination, said in an email the sliding scale bus pass system investment is a powerful mechanism to increase community well being and quality of life for people living on low income.
Among some listed points of the beneficial impact these types of services can bring to the community, McPherson mentioned the existing affordable bus pass is out of reach for individuals and families facing some of the deepest income pressures in our community, such as individuals living on social assistance. This pilot is a significant step in the right direction to ensuring that everyone in our community can afford this essential service.
The sliding scale bus pass program is the second major initiative launched by Guelph Transit this year, with March 1 seeing the introduction of a kids ride free program.
