Menard Promotes U-Pass For High Schools

This is an excerpt from Capital Councillor Shawn Menard’s newsletter:

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On Monday, the Transit Commission approved a modified version of the draft 2025 budget. As many are aware, the draft budget had numerous fare hikes for various classes of riders: a 120% increase in senior pass (including elimination of free transit Wednesdays and Sundays), elimination of free transit for 11- and 12-year-olds (now required to pay $2.00 per trip), elimination of the youth monthly pass ,and an overall 5% fare hike, including on the U-Pass.

At council, the budget was slightly altered to only raise the senior pass 60% and the restoration of free transit Wednesdays (not Sundays). This is still too much.

We brought a motion to council to address some of these issues. We directed staff to enter into negotiations with local colleges and universities on the U-Pass increase, as the proposed 5% increase violates the agreement the city has with the schools and directed staff to work with school boards and the province in the potential development of a U-Pass program for all high school and intermediate school students.

At council, we will bring a motion restoring free Sunday service for seniors and there will be a motion to limit senior pass increase to $58.25, making it the same price as the EquiPass. I will support this motion.

This newsletter excerpt is courtesy of the city-wide community group Your Applewood Acres (And Beyond) Neighbours

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