Thank you to everyone who has been reaching out to express concern about the draft budget as it pertains to the cost of transit for seniors. I share your shock and disappointment that the draft budget is recommending a disproportionately high increase to the rate of the Seniors’ Pass. It is additionally outrageous to suggest that the city remove the free fares for seniors on Wednesdays and Sundays.
I am in sharp disagreement with both of these proposed changes, and I intend to express my dissent at upcoming budget deliberation meetings.
My position is that the only fair thing to do is to keep seniors’ fares at the same proposed 5% increase as all other fares, and to maintain the free fare days for seniors as they currently are.
At a time when we are promoting greater ridership on public transit, it would be counterproductive to raise the rates for any transit rider group. It is especially egregious to target seniors as a money-saving strategy, given that many are on fixed incomes and have fewer transportation options if they have chosen to stop driving for financial or health reasons. . The proposed 2025 budget has most fares going up by 5% while seniors’ rate increases would amount to a 120% increase!
In my role as Council Liaison for Older Adults, and as the Chair of Ottawa Community Housing, which has 22 rental buildings housing for seniors, I am keenly aware of the positive impact that accessible, affordable public transportation has on the lives of all citizens, and especially older adults.
I will make this a priority for any budget discussions regarding the 2025 City of Ottawa budget. On November 25, I will be speaking about this important matter at the Transit Committee meeting on behalf of older adults.
