Seniors facing 60% hike for OC Transpo monthly transit pass in 2025 under new proposal
CTV
Ottawa seniors will be facing a 60 per cent hike in transit fares in 2025, instead of a 120 per cent increase, under a new plan to halve a proposed hike in fares for riders over the age of 65.
Ottawa seniors will be facing a 60 per cent hike in transit fares in 2025, instead of a 120 per cent increase, under a new plan to halve a proposed hike in fares for riders over the age of 65.
The 2025 draft City of Ottawa budget initially proposed a 120 per cent increase in the cost of a seniors' monthly pass from $49 to $108, along with the elimination of free transit for seniors on Wednesdays and Sundays. The proposal has sparked backlash from some councillors and the public about the $59 a month increase for transit riders over 65.
In an email sent to councillors Friday afternoon, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said a motion will be presented during Monday's transit commission meeting to increase the cost of a seniors' monthly pass to $78.50.
"We've all heard feedback from the community about proposed changes to transit fares included in the draft 2025 budget," Sutcliffe said.
"The members of the Long-Range Financial Plan Working Group on Transit (Councillors (Jeff) Leiper, (Glen) Gower, (Tim) Tierney and I) have continued to work together to respond to that input."
Sutcliffe says the senior fare discount will be 42 per cent off the price of an adult monthly pass.
"This fare level ensures we continue to protect affordability for seniors and aligns more closely with other seniors fares in Ontario."
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