Monday, June 27, 2016

Letters of Support Needed July 6 to Support Sliding Scale on Transit

 Call Out for Letters of Support for a Sliding Fee Scale for the Low-Income Transit Pass

 


Letters of support to expand and deepen the discounts for the Low-Income Transit Pass are needed by July 6th, 2016.  

The City of Calgary has looked a options on how to set transit fares on ability to pay. They will present their report to the City’s Community and Protective Services Standing Policy Committee on July 6th.  

A show of community support for a sliding fee scale for the Low-Income Transit pass could help the Councillor’s decision. 


Did you know? The Province has allocated $ 4.5 million annually for the next three years to Calgary’s Low-Income Transit pass. 
A sliding scale will help more Calgarians afford the bus based on ability to pay. 


Fair Calgary Community Voices is asking the City of Calgary 
to match the Province’s funding 
and create a sliding fee scale to replace the single price fare of $44.00

(currently being used for 
the Low-Income Transit Pass)  

A sliding fee scale will:



  • Make the City’s Low-Income Transit pass fair and equitable for all people living on low-income.
  • Make the Low-Income Transit pass more affordable for all people living on low-income including those living in extreme poverty. 
  • Increase the ceiling for the Low-Income Transit Pass to 30% above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for people whose income is slightly above LICO yet still live in poverty. This will prevent people from falling deeper into poverty because of the increasing cost of living in Calgary.
  • Assist Calgarians who are impacted by the economic downturn and who can no longer afford the $ 44 monthly transit pass.
  • Assist more people living on low-income to secure employment and connect to communities.

A Sliding fee scale aligns with: 

  • The “Enough for all Strategy” (a poverty elimination plan), 
  • Sustainability 2020 and 
  • City of Calgary Action Plan and priorities of “Creating a city that moves, greener communities, a well-run city, a prosperous community and a city of Inspiring neighbourhoods.”


Fair Calgary Community Voices is asking citizens to share their stories on July 6th at the Standing Policy Committee or write letters to City Councillors


Send a letter to City Council 

Feel free to send us a copy of your letter by emailing us!

More links: 



Friday, June 10, 2016

Sliding Scale report coming Wednesday, July 6 2016

The City of Calgary moved one step closer on May 28th, 2016  to making a sliding scale a reality. 

Read the recent media coverage where the province plans to provide $ 4.5 million for the next three years to help with the low-income transit pass.


A sliding scale concept is very much like the boxes in the middle picture. where those that cannot afford the regular fare pay less. A sliding scale will help many more people enjoy connecting with the community by creating a more equitable approach to fares.
 If we want the third scenario on the right; it would mean free transit for all where no barriers exist to ride transit.

Global News, May 28th, 2016

Calgary Sun by Trevor Scott Howell, May 28th, 2016


What's next? 

Now its time for the City to decide how best to use the $ 4.5 million to make sure Calgarians can get on the bus. A sliding scale review was approved by Calgary City Council last September. 

Stay tuned for our key messages of why we think a sliding scale will help create a better city. 

We are also looking for people to come and talk to City Council how a sliding scale might help people access transit. Come and share your story on Wednesday, July 6th, 2016 at the Old City Hall Engineering Traditions Board Room at 9:30 am!