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.

Are transit fares simple & fair for Everyone?

Are transit fares simple and fair for Everyone? 

On Wednesday June 18th, 2014 Calgary Transit presented a review of its fare strategy to assist seniors and people on low-income to be able to afford transit. 

Council has asked Transit to come back to the committee on Friday, July 18th with a report of recommendations to also include a look at off-peak hour service for seniors. 

To see the July 18th report, visit this link. 

Concerns from Fair Fares:

Members from the public living on low-income simply stated even at the $ 44 a month, the pass is still too far out of reach for Calgarians, the monthly discounted transit pass is unaffordable. 

We support a single ride fare discount based at 50%. This will help people who cannot afford to pay out the costs of a discounted transit monthly pass. 

However the monthly pass fare structure is still not treating all persons living on low-income the same and the monthly pass is simply not affordable. 

We do not support off-peak hour service as it is problematic, hard to enforce and limits seniors mobility rights to access affordable transit at all hours of the day, 

Some City Councillors continue to direct transit to create inequities between seniors and people below the age of 65. We think this is not fair. 

Having two different discounted monthly and annual passes does not comply with the 2020 Sustainability Strategy trying to align and balance the fares and treat people the same. The deep discounts given to seniors and not also to people who live on low-income create inequality. 

Fair Fares plans on attending the Friday, July 18th committee meeting held in the basement of the old City Hall beginning at 9:30 am to speak about the updates  to the original June 18th report. 

If you would like to see a fare strategy that is fair and simple, please join us on Friday, July 18th beginning at 9:30 am or call 311 to register your concerns.

What do you think of Calgary Transit Fares? Share you thoughts by May 14th 2014

What do you think about transit fares? 

The City of Calgary needs to hear from you. 

Calgary Transit will be hosting an open house on Monday, May 12th from 10-12 pm at the Kerby Centre 1155 - 7 Avenue SW (just off the downtown West/Kerby Centre Platform). 

To learn about just how many different types of fares Calgary Transit provides, visit the Calgary Transit Website and look at this presentation. 

What do you think of Calgary Transit Fares? Share your ideas by
Wednesday, May 14th,  2014 

Can't make it in person! No problem! 

You can: 

1. Call Calgary Transit at 403.262.1000 before May 14th, 2014
2. Fill out a survey online before May 14th, 2014
3. Share your thoughts at the Transit and Transportation Standing Policy Committee on Wednesday, June 18th beginning at 9:30 am. 

Can you afford the bus?

Can you afford the bus? 

Many Calgarians living in poverty cannot even afford the $ 44 monthly low-income transit pass. And now seniors are also wanting a single ride discount similar to youth. We think this is a great idea and can only be improved by including people living on low-income. 

Help us make transit fares equitable and affordable! a single ride 

Fortunately, there is a motion being brought to City council this budget that can be improved upon to make this possible. It is called NM2013-25. 

The motion is  written to help Seniors help afford transit fares at the same rate youth pay. Currently $ 1.75.  We would like to see this rate also be applied to people living on low-income. 

If you believe single ride fares need to be lowered to help the Citizens who earn a low wage, please share your thoughts with City Council during the November 2014 Budget Adjustments. 

Low-income Transit Passes now at 100% LICO for January 2014

Click here to learn more about 
programs and city services

Congratulations to Calgary City Council! 

Today, September 16th Calgary City Council approved Calgarians living 100% below the low-income cut off to be able to buy a discounted transit pass for January 2014. 

1 in 10 Calgarians lives in poverty, and for many this means having to choose between food and a bus pass. Previously only people whose income fell below approximately $20,000 (87.5% below LICO) in 2013 could buy the pass. Now Calgary's Transit's Low-income Transit Pass is in alignment with the City's Fee Assistance Program, bringing our City to use a common discount across City subsidized fees. This means many people earning minimum wage had to pay full price ($ 95 a month) and will now pay less in 2014. Currently the low-income transit pass costs $ 44 a month.

Way to go City of Calgary for creating Fair Fares for everyone!!! 

• To learn more about the transit pass and to see if you qualify, please visit the Calgary Transit website! 
• To learn more about other programs for people living on low income, please download the brochure on low-income programs in the City of Calgary 

New changes to Calgary's 'Low-Income Transit Pass Program'

To our community partners:

  Fair Fares and Fair Calgary Community Voices would like to inform you of the recent improvements to the Low-Income Transit Pass program.

   
These improvements include:  

-  More ways to prove income
-  Youth from 6 - 17 are now included in the Low Income Transit pass -  The income cut-off has been raised from 75% to 87.5% of LICO for 2013 with the cut-off being increased  to 100% of LICO starting April 2014.

These changes make the Low Income Transit pass available to more people and make the application process much easier.  

We would like to thank the many people living on low income, community members and the community organizations for their hard work in making these changes happen community and City Council and Calgary Transit for listening to the community's input and implementing the much needed changes to the Low Income Transit pass.   

For more information on the Low Income Transit Pass and the new application form please visit the CalgaryTransit website at:

http://www.calgarytransit.com/html/low_monthly_income_pass.html

Fair Calgary Community Voices

faircalgaryvoice@gmail.com

Fair Fares

fairfarescalgary1@gmail.com

Celebrating 12 years of advocating for 'Affordable Transit'

Thank you to the many people over the years who have helped with "Affordable Transportation" with the Fair Fares and Fair Calgary Community Voices. What an honour to place nearly 100 names (and counting) on an acknowledgement quilt in celebration of International Women's Day at the Women's Centre of Calgary Event on March 7th at the Kerby Centre. Pictured are members of Fair Fares and the Disability Action Hall holding up a tribute to Women. 

Celebrating Affordable Transit and the many people involved in turning the dream of affordable transportation into a reality.  

"We are so happy to be here to celebrate International Women's Day with you. Thank you for inviting us. This year we are celebrating leadership and we see so many great leaders in the room this evening. Twelve years ago when Colleen and I started to talk about affordable transportation it was only a dream.  Today with the help of countless people, Calgary now has a Low-Income Transit pass and that dream has become a reality.

The Disability Action Hall has put together a message to celebrate International Women's Day:  

W- Wisdom of working together. Working on affordable public transportation takes a village of people
O - Organizing and opportunities to share our message with decision takers, decision makers and the people who have expertise riding and driving the bus.
M - Making a difference. While the job isn't finished it is important to celebrate the accessibility of this city.
E - Equality and equity. For Fair Fares and a fair voice.
N - Never stop fighting for affordable public transportation.

Happy International Women's Day.

Congrats Calgary!! Youth are now included!

Congrats to City Council who unanimously voted in favour to create a pilot project ages 6-17 to also be part of the low-income transit program. It was a coordinated community effort and just in time for the holidays. Please help us in thanking council for doing the right thing!!!!

City Council has now include youth in the low-income transit pass program

311 Weekend Action to help youth living on low-income ride transit

Transit needs low-income youth fares 

Ask your Aldermen to include Youth in theLow Income Transit Pass Program

On December 17^th, 2012 City Council will decide whether or not to initiate a pilot project to expand eligibility for the Low Income Transit Pass to all youth.

If you know a young person who needs affordable transit, share the message with The City & Alderman by Monday, December 17^th, 2012.

By phone: 403-268-2430 or 311

By Email: Their first name.last name.calgary.ca

e.g. shane.keating@calgary.ca or your alderman site

Why should youth be included in the Low-Income Transit Pass program? 

-Affordable transit will increase opportunities for youth to participate in community.

-It will give youth more opportunities to attend after school programs, including the ‘Critical Hours’ programs.

-It will assist youth when traveling to a job, appointments and social events etc.  This will result in less isolation and exclusion among youth on low-incomes.

-It will give youth a safer way to get around our city instead of having to walk long distances.

-It will correct the imbalance between low-income youth, who pay $57.50 for a monthly transit pass and who do not always receive a rebate from schools, and their parents who will pay $44.00 per month for a low-income transit pass.

-It will make the Low Income Transit Pass program fairer for all.

Learn more! 

Watch a video from youth speaking out about transit, visit the Busting Bus Fares video! 

Read about the affordable youth transit movement, please visit the United Way Social Voice