July 30, 2014
Dear City Council members;
Moving forward with a
progressive transit fare structure
On behalf of Fair Fares and the Disability Action Hall we would
like to thank City Council for your support of the sliding scale for all people
based on income and need. The sliding
scale is a valuable tool which can be used for a discounted single ride and
monthly and yearly fares. We encourage City Council to ensure that
the sliding scale is included in the Connect Card for July 2015.
Calgary Transit is creating a Fare Strategy for all transit
users. There are many people under the
age of 65 as well as people over the age of 65 who live on a fixed income due
to disability, mental health issues, age which includes youth and seniors or
circumstances beyond their control such as divorce or a life altering accident
or medical condition. Seniors living on
low-income have a slightly higher income than someone living on AISH or Alberta
Works yet seniors pay $1.25 per month and an AISH recipient pays $44.00 per
month. A sliding scale would be a much
more equitable way to create a fair subsidy program for all people based on
income not age.
2. Why a new fare
structure will improve the City’s Economic Well-being.
An equitable, accessible and affordable fare structure is
imperative to ensure that all people across across the life span can access
Calgary Transit, which is often their only lifeline to the community. A progressive fare structure will help
mobilize Calgarians thereby reducing isolation and loneliness; help people get
a job, which will increase our tax payer base and help people get to
appointments and volunteer opportunities.
Affordable transit will help people who are having a hard time making
ends meet because they won’t have to choose between buying a transit pass or
buying food and other necessities of life.
3. Who administers the
City’s Subsidy Programs?
We agree with council’s direction to have Community Neighbourhood Services (CNS)
administer the low-income subsidies for the City of Calgary. CNS truly understands the root causes of
poverty and has been working on the Fair Calgary policy and single entry since
2006. CNS understands the systemic
structural changes that are needed to ensure the City’s subsidies are easy to
get, use and available to all citizens.
A
sliding scale and discounted single ride tickets are a step towards making our
City great for everyone. Please
contact us for more information.
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