City exploring fair entry program for transit

“Oh geez. Yeah that is a lot,” one man said.

“That’s quite a lot for me. I don’t make a lot as it is,” he added.

That’s why the City of Medicine Hat recently launched a pilot program aimed at exploring a fair entry system, which would offer reduced rates for low income individuals.

“The pilot program launched April 1st we are working with five community partners who are engaging with a number of their participants,” said Leah Prestayko, director of community development.

The five community partners include: Medicine Hat Community Housing, The Mustard Seed, Miywasin Friendship Centre, Be Youth, and Saamis Immigration.

A total of 50 free bus passes have been distributed to the community groups for the duration of the three-month pilot. As part of the program, participants will be asked if greater access to transit has improved their quality of life. If participants have never used transit before, they will be asked to include what their mode of transportation currently looks like and if having an affordable pass has helped them travel around the city more. The city’s move to explore a fair entry system has been praised by groups like McMan Youth, Family and Community Services, who help the vulnerable every single day.

“Public transit has a direct impact on so many people. Learning the bus system it helps build independence, it helps increase confidence in individuals, and helps them just to navigate and utilize community resources. For us that could be populations that are needing to search for jobs, and gain employment, volunteer opportunities. So sometimes the livelihood and success of our service participants do depend on public transit,” said
executive director Tracie Mutschler.

A more affordable transit option, Mutschler said would also help people on a limited income afford the rising cost of day to day living expenses such as food.

“Seventy dollars can go a long way. If an individual did not have to spend that cost on transportation, they can redirect that to other areas of their life that will also improve their wellness,” she added.

Currently Calgary and Edmonton have fair entry systems in place that are funded by the provincial government . But the city said funding for fair entry transit does not exist for smaller cities like Medicine Hat, something they would like to see changed.

“We believe our residents are just as deserving as residents in major cities and that transit is just as important to them as it is to residents living in Calgary and Edmonton,” said Prestayko.

Results of the pilot program will be brought back to the public services committee in the late-summer and early fall. That’s when committee members will evaluate the feasibility of the program and if a fair-entry system can be introduced.

by Tiffany Goodwein

City exploring fair entry program for transit

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