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A More Equal Subsidized Transit Pass for All Low Income Londoners Including Those with Disabilities, Seniors, and the Blind

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A More Equal Subsidized Transit Pass for All Low Income Londoners Including Those with Disabilities, Seniors, and the Blind Proposal: A more equal subsidized transit pass for all Low Income Londoners including those with disabilities, seniors, and the blind. Londoners who live below the poverty line should be able to access affordable public transportation. First of all we would like to thank you for your time this afternoon. Good Afternoon Your Worship, Members of the Community and Protective Services Committee and Councilors. We are Registered Nurses in the Post RN BScN program at the University of Western Ontario and we are enrolled in a course on Nurses Influencing Change. When we were asked an identifying an issue that could benefit from change we drew on our background as health care professionals and identified how difficult it is for many Londoners to access affordable transportation in the city especially when they have a very low income coming into the household. As health care professionals, we recognize the important role that affordable transportation plays on the ability of disadvantaged citizens to live fuller, healthier, and longer lives. Coincidentally, this is an issue debated not too long ago before city council. Those who live under the poverty line receive no discount for London City Bus Passes and 17% of Londoners live in poverty. On average individuals on a low income who wish to purchase a monthly LTC pass would spend between 6 to 10% of their monthly income. They are at times left with the decision to buy their transportation for the month or purchase groceries. We should all be able to afford public transportation in the city in which we live. This important issue deserves political action because access to affordable public transportation allows for greater access to many places and situations that are intertwined with the social determinates of health. The positive impact of a subsidy program would be improved access to schools, jobs, medical appointments, shopping, and social services for those among us who are the most disadvantaged. We appreciate the time to allow us to attend your committee meeting so that we could share ow concerns on the issue of a subsidized city bus pass low income Londoners. As Registered Nurses we see how some individuals would benefit from community assistance especially those who are struggling to access and provide the basics in life like food, medical attention and employment and attend community activities they would be interested or involved in. It would also provide them with a more equal participation within the city. We would like to present some background information to you at this time. -The city of London’s Anti Poverty Strategy (2008) identifies lack of affordable transportation as a micro level root cause of poverty. -The World Health Organization and Public health experts both agree with this, and support access to affordable transportation as essential in mitigating barriers to many of the social determinates of health. -Social determinates of health include access to health care, job opportunities, affordable goods and services, educational opportunities, social services, and community events. -According to the city of London’s Anti Poverty Strategy (2008), 17% of Londoners live in low-income households. -Our fellow Londoners living under the poverty line do not have access to affordable public transportation because they cannot afford to pay for it. -At $8l/month, an LTC pass can cost as much as 10% of a low-income residents’ gross income. -Many families living on reduced wages have little left after paying for food and shelter and if they have to pay for a bus pass they may not be left with enough monthly to pay for their food or basic necessities. - It is our civic responsibility to care for those less fortunate and less able in our society. We as nurses put a lot of energy in looking at community members that would benefit from assistance and we like to help when we can. We as caring individuals see that assisting individuals in obtaining access to local events or a way to get to a job or appointment would increase their overall health. -Helping all Londoners to live their best lives and achieve optimum health benefits all of us with strengthened community ties, reduced illness and disease. Benefits to a London Bus Subsidy -A subsidized bus pass will let disadvantaged Londoners have access to the entire city. With this, they will be able to gain further access to: -attend school -find employment -receive medical care -access affordable goods, services and community events -participate in physical activities that promote healthy living -access services and social supports -have an improved standard of living -achieve better health They would have the opportunity to participate fully in their community/city. Practical issues There has been much debate over the costs of such a program and implementing one. The subsidy doesn’t need to be a 100% subsidy. Even reducing the costs of a pass by 50% would mean hundreds of Londoner’s could benefit. If providing a bus pass for individuals was more then something that people wanted to look at and or subsidize could something be looked at where bus tickets were provided for the individuals on a monthly basis and when they ran out of their 10 or so then that was it until next month. Other communities within the province have a subsidized bus pass for individuals with a disability or are on a fixed /low income. Hamilton has a program that allows individuals on a low income to purchase bus tickets at half price. It is a program to help employed citizens of Hamilton on a low income purchase a pass, however yes it is on a first come first served basis. They have also divided up the family size and eligible low income when determining who is eligible. Thunder Bay also has a subsidy pass for individuals with a disability ( low income individual), and Calgary, even though not in Ontario, has a program for low income individuals who can receive a discounted monthly pass if their income is lower than 75% of the low income cut off set by the Federal Government. Brantford has a couple of options for lower income / disabled individuals. They offer a 10 ride limit card at a lower rate or a discounted monthly pass. We as a group were disheartened to hear that the budget to support the proposed bus subsidy was turned down but we do understand that with more “project” work to help organize a subsidy for low income individuals it may be relooked in the future. We feel that this is a very important issue for the “weaker” and disadvantaged members of this city who in many instances cannot speak for themselves. As fellow citizens we implore you, as an elected member for the city of London, to continue to work towards passing an ordinance that all Londoners living below the poverty line will have the opportunity to receive subsidized London Transit City Passes. Thank you for your time. Rebecca Sheriff Laura Gowan Jean Morrow Sara Marlow * TRANSIT FARES As of May 1,2009 Fare Type Rate Discounted Rate Exact Cash Fare Children 8 8 under Free when $2.50 accompanied by an adult 20 - Ride Pass $31 Tickets $17.50 I10 Monthly Pass $67 $57' Adult 8 Discount Semester Pass Full-time College students $195 4 months Sep-Dec or Jac-Apr Family IGroup Pass * $6 U-Pass Lakehead University Paid with Tuition Full-time university students Transit is not responsible for replacing lost or stolen passes. SUPPORT PERSONS: No fee with proper approval of Thunder Bay Transit. (Without proper approval the fee is as indicated above.) Monthly Dkcount Pass conditions of use - may only be pwchased by: Se'niors over 65 years High schooi students age 18 8 under 9 Children nine to 12 years 0 Disabled persons with valid ID card To obtain a disability ID card, proof of receipt of income support either from the Provincial or Federal government is required. * Family I Group Pass conditions of use - pass is good for unlimited trips for: Two adults and three children, or One adult and fourchildren. or - Two adults (children 18 years of age or under) oam=-lnnn dw. ..f ,..,,&ko r,,hmi~o~irri-rnorUnn --A me%#ho r.-.nlierd-A4-. lricivcl 0-e 2of3 21/02/2010 8:27 Ah4 L Cibse this windoa Message Previous Message I Next Messaae Subject: Hamilton transit Topic: PA Group 3 Discussion Site Author: caura.Kll~~~ri??e_~~~.~~I., Date: February 20, 2010 12:06 PM Hamilton has a program thats lets those with a low income purchase a bus ticket for half price. http://www .hamilton.ca/HealthandSociaiServices/SociaiServices/SupportPrograms/AffordableTransltPass. htm Trying to find others too.. Laura City of Hamilton Support Programs - Affordable Transit Pass Program The Affordable Transit Pass Program is to help employed City of Hamilton residents living with a low income purchase an adult monthly bus pass from the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) for half price. The number of passes available are limited and will be sold on a first come, First served basis. This program will run until the end of December 2010 Who can apply? 2006 Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off Family Size Income (after taxes) 1$17,570 2921,384 3$26,628 , 4$33,221 5$37,828 6841,953 7 +$46,077 To qualify you must meet ALL of the following: You llve in the City of Hamilton ' You are currently working in a full time, part time or casual position (does not include those who are self-employed) You are between the ages of 18 to 64 years (does not include those who qualify for HSR's student or senior fares) Receiving assistance from Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program but not receiving transportation costs for other activities (e.g.
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