FAIR FARES CALL TO ACTION Help us keep transit fares ‘affordable, accessible & fair’

FAIR FARES CALL TO ACTION
Help us keep transit fares ‘affordable, accessible & fair’

On July 28^th, 2014 Calgary City Council will vote on the recommendation by Calgary Transit to approve the proposed ‘Calgary Transit Fare Structure’ in revised attachment 3 for setting fare prices.

Fair Fares is recommending that City Council approve the following in order to make transit more affordable for all Calgarians living on low-income:

1.    A sliding scale for all Calgarians living on low-income regardless of age... 

To start at a much lower rate than the ‘Low-Income Transit Pass and that would be acceptable to people living on low-income as well as seniors.

2.  A new single ride fare discount at 50% of the regular adult fare... 

For seniors, youth and persons eligible for the low-income transit pass. The 50% discount for a single ride ticket will benefit people who cannot afford to purchase the low-income transit pass and will help mobilize Calgarians living in extreme poverty.

Demand fair, simple fares 

CALL YOUR COUNCILLOR AT 311 TO

SUPPORT AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE AND FAIR, FARES BEFORE

Monday, July 28^th, 2014

FAIR FARES DOES NOT SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING TWO RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PROPOSED FARE STRATEGY and THE AMENDMENT (AS OUTLINED IN ATTACHMENTS 1 and Attachment 3

1. We do not support 

“A NEW LOW-INCOME SENIORS OFF-PEAK ANNUAL PASS TO PERMIT TRANSIT BOARDING DURING ALL TIMES EXCLUDING 5:00 TO 9:00 AM AND 15:00 – 18:00 (3PM TO 6 PM) WEEKDAYS”

The off-peak hours limitations will severely restrict the time that a senior can take transit based on income and age and therefore limits their ability to access programs, classes, work and volunteer obligations.

2.We do not support 

“A NEW SENIORS PASS FOR SENIORS WITH INCOMES UNDER 100% LICO TO BE SET AT 50% OF THE REGULAR ADULT FARE.”   

This will mean that low-income seniors will pay the same price as the Low-Income Transit pass, which is currently $44.00 per month. This will be an increase of $42.75 per month from $1.25 per month that seniors now pay.  This recommendation will make the senior’s Low-Income Transit pass unaffordable for most seniors, just as the Low-Income Transit pass is unaffordable for most adults living on low-income). Instead we recommend the City implement a sliding scale for everyone living on low-income regardless of age.

We do not support 

The amendment to the fare structure that was presented at the Standing Policy Committee.  It states “ADMINISTRATION BE INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT SENIOR FARE DISCOUNTS FOR 2015 AND RETURN WITH A FARE STRATEGY (WITH A POSSIBLE TIER STRUCTURE)”

The amendment could potentially delay a much-needed single ride discounted fare, as the revenue from the increased senior fares could be directed towards the single ride discount.