Urgent Call To Action for Affordable City Programs: November 7, 2012

Fair Fares Call to Action 

Help us tell Alderman not to leave people behind

1. Sign the Petition
2. Join us Wednesday December 5th for the City Meeting and Fair Calgary Report
3. Call your alderman and tell why we need to help all Calgarians get on the bus
4. Write a letter to your alderman. 

On Wednesday, December 5th, at 9:30 am, City Council’s ‘Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protective Services’ will be hearing from citizens about why they City’s Low Income subsidy programs like the low-income transit pass need to help all citizens. We know of children are staying home from school and single mothers who cannot afford to get to work. 

We need your voice to help the people being left behind.  We are asking you to call or write your alderman and tell them why we need a household transit pass, a sliding scale to help families pay what they can afford and that the scale should start at 50% of the full fare.

The report from City Administration does not go far enough. If you wish to read the report and learn more visit:  

What Calgarians told us:

1.     Have one form for all of the City’s reduced fee programs and services.

2.     We need more places to apply for the reduced fee programs.

3.     Make sure all the City’s reduced fee programs start at 100% of the poverty line. (100%   
        pre-tax low-income cut off).  Currently the eligibility for the Low Income Transit Pass is   
        75% of before tax LICO

4.     Pay what you can: Use a sliding scale because some people have less income.

5.     Start the sliding scale for transit at ½ of the adult fare.

6.     Make a ‘Household pass’ to help low-income families.

7.     All people who currently receive a low-income subsidy be grandparented at the rate they   
        currently pay for transit.

8.     The reduced fees programs include people from ages 7-64.

9.     A single ride reduced fee be introduced when people cannot afford to buy a monthly pass.

What Fair Fares will recommend:

·      The eligibility for the Low Income Transit Pass be raised from 75% to 100% of   
        before tax LICO in January 2013.

·      The City set up a sliding fee scale pilot project for the Low Income Transit Pass 
        in 2013. 

·      The sliding fee scale start at 50% of the regular adult transit pass and be 
        reduced further according to an individual’s income.

·      That the sliding fee scale be applied to single fares.

·      That all members of low-income households be eligible for subsidies.

·      Low-income youth between the ages of 7 – 17 should be eligible for the Low   
       income Transit pass effective January 2013.

·      All people who currently have a low-income subsidy continue to pay the rate  
       they pay in 2012 for transit.

Call To Action:

Let’s make sure everyone can afford to get on the bus. 
Thank you for your help!