Regina has introduced free transit for riders 13 and under. Is 18 and under next? – Regina
Getting across the metropolis on Regina transit will quickly be rather a lot simpler for these 13 years and youthful.
Metropolis council final week unanimously accepted a change that can come into impact after changes are made to the transit fare bylaw.
Up till now, all riders below 5 have been in a position to experience at no cost. The choice will price town roughly $2,000.
Ward 1 Metropolis Coun. Cheryl Stadnichuk stated that’s a small worth to pay contemplating what number of metropolis residents will profit from the change.
“The youthful you begin utilizing transit and get used to it as a mode of transportation, the extra doubtless you might be to be a lifelong transit person,” Stadnichuk stated.
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In the meantime, a gaggle of Regina youth activists, amongst them Sophia Younger, proceed their push for fare-free transit for all these 18 and below.
Younger is a member of Regina Vitality Transition in addition to the local weather activist group Friday for Futures Regina.
“Transit is on the coronary heart of every thing. Every thing you possibly can and can’t do depends in your transit,” stated Younger, who’s going into Grade 12 at Miller Complete Excessive Faculty.
“I do know children who can’t afford the $2.75 to go on the bus in order that they stroll 40 minutes house, some days within the chilly winter.”
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In actual fact, throughout 2023 price range deliberations, metropolis council will probably be listening to a report from metropolis administration on the choices surrounding fare-free transit for these 18 and below.
“If we will present fare-free transit for these 18 and below, that will be great. On the minimal, I believe we’ve to cut back the fee as a result of the fare is sort of excessive for youth,” Stadnichuk stated.
At the moment, a transit go runs excessive schoolers $64 a month.
Stadnichuk stated that if free transit for 18 and below have been to turn out to be a actuality in Regina, it could want monetary contributions from the province and college boards.
She talked about that in some Ontario cities with free transit for 18 and below, the provincial authorities contributes by way of a fuel tax.
Younger stated that permitting highschool college students to experience at no cost would assist with elevated ridership objectives town specified by its Transit Grasp Plan.
“They’d plenty of objectives on getting extra folks to make use of the bus,” Younger stated.
“Nicely, you get children to begin driving after they’re younger, they’re extra more likely to be lifelong riders and due to that they’ll pay again the price of beginning this program now.”
Younger stated immediately’s youth might put funds saved from transit prices towards different prospects, like college, commerce college or school.
“We perceive that there are plenty of constraints round this, particularly how a lot strain it may well placed on the bus system. We all know it’s in all probability going to take some time, however we’re going to maintain attempting to get assist for this due to how many individuals it may well doubtlessly assist.”
