HSR exploring new affordable bus fare program — but should Hamilton council make transit free?

The HSR is making free transit for kids permanent - and exploring a new low-income fare program that could offer discounted rides to thousands of families.

But the proposed pilot may also mean the end of decades-old voluntary pay" options for riders with disabilities who use HSR buses, despite growing calls to expand free transit to more residents in need.

The city started experimenting with free rides for kids aged six to 12 - with a PRESTO card - to boost ridership and help families during the pandemic and council is expected to make the program permanent Wednesday. Children under six already ride free.

But the HSR is also looking to pilot a new fare assist" program that aims to offer more affordable bus travel to a much higher number of Hamiltonians," said transit head Maureen Cosyn Heath at a recent public works meeting.

The yet-to-be-finalized pilot would use means testing - whether or not your family income falls under the low income after tax" threshold - to offer a 30-per-cent fare subsidy to successful program applicants and their families.

Around 88,380 Hamiltonians live at or below that Statistics Canada-measured income line, which is around $26,570 for a single person and up to $84,022 for a family of 10, for example. In theory, that should mean more city residents will be eligible for affordable bus fares compared to the mishmash of currently free or subsidized programs.

But some transit and affordability advocates are calling on the city to go further.

If I can't scrape together two bucks to even ride the bus, a discounted fare is not going to do me much good," said Anthony Marco, president of the Hamilton and District Labour Council.

The labour council is spearheading a Care Fare" campaign that calls for free or close-to-free transit for all riders under 18, seniors, disabled residents and those relying on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program.

It also supported a grassroots election campaign spearheaded by climate group Hamilton 350 last fall pushing candidates to commit to making HSR frequent, electric and free."

Marco applauded the HSR for experimenting within its budget constraints, but expressed hope council will push for more. I don't think a discount is going to do it," he said. I'm hoping this council has a bigger vision."

While the fare assist" pilot is expected to reach more people, it may also mean the end of some existing free or subsidized fare options.

For example, the proposed pilot would suspend" current half-price bus pass offers for low-income residents using OW and ODSP as well as voluntary pay" options for some riders with disabilities on HSR buses. No changes are proposed to the golden age" pass that provides free bus rides to residents aged 80 and up.

Cosyn Heath stressed the city will consult with stakeholders over the next two months before bringing a final pilot recommendation to councillors in the summer.

But she noted the half-price affordable pass is only being used by about 100 people right now, while the optional pay program for some residents with disabilities was supposed to be temporary" when it was last updated in 2013.

Voluntary pay" fares for riders with mobility devices have been around in one form or another since the 1990s.

The city ended optional free rides for riders with four-prong canes in 2013 citing concerns about fraud - but a so-called temporary" special fare program continued for the last decade for blind residents and those with walkers, wheelchairs and motorized mobility aids.

It's not clear how many residents make use of the voluntary pay option, but the HSR budgets $1 million a year for the program.

Many wheelchair users are reluctant and anxious" about the idea of using the HSR at all because limited space means it is common to be left behind," noted Aznive Mallett, who chairs the city's advisory subcommittee for people with disabilities.

But Mallett nonetheless argued the city should continue to offer optional free rides to disabled residents, some of whom are among the city's most marginalized." Ending the program, she suggested, is more about working to save money than working to ensure you have happy passengers."

Matthew Van Dongen is a transportation and environment reporter at The Spectator. mvandongen@thespec.com

Bus fares: who pays what?

Adults pay a cash fare of $3.25 and $2.60 with a Presto card;

Kids aged 0 to five ride free;

Kids aged six to 12 ride free with a Presto card (new);

Teens and seniors pay $2.15 with a Presto card;

Seniors aged 80+ ride free with a golden age" Presto card;

Residents can choose to ride free on HSR buses if they use mobility devices like a walker, wheelchair or scooter, or if they have a Canadian National Institute for the Blind card;

Low-income residents who are OW or ODSP clients can apply to join the affordable transit pass program that offers half-price monthly bus passes.