Prince Rupert city council decided against a majority of BC Transit’s recommended bus fare increases on Jan. 26.
Prince Rupert has one of the best per capita usage rates in B.C., but increasing costs have resulted in taxpayer subsidization hikes. Taxpayers financed transit by $307,000 in 2011, climbing up to $369,000 in 2014.
BC Transit suggested the City of Prince Rupert raise fees to levels consistent with the rest of B.C. in early January. Recommended changes included increasing cash fares by 25 cents for adults and 50 cents for students/seniors, charging students/seniors $2.50 more for monthly passes and 50 cents more for four-month semester passes, lowering adult day passes by 50 cents and raising student/senior day passes by 24 cents, as well as increasing annual senior passes from $12 to $45.
The boost to senior passes was a concern for many councillors, but Coun. Wade Niesh noted the suggested increase would only cost seniors $3.75 per month.
“It’s been $12 for years and years and our costs keep going up. At some point we have to recover the cost,” he said, noting those who have already purchased their yearly pass wouldn’t be effected until 2016.
But this didn’t sit well with Coun. Nelson Kinney.
“Sure it’s only ($3.75 a month), but there’s been raises in the recreation fees and everything. Seniors pensions do not rise,” he said.
Coun. Gurvinder Randhawa said senior passes should only go up to $24, with Kinney moving this amendment.
Coun. Joy Thorkelson said she disagreed wholeheartedly with cash fares going up to $2 for everyone, aside from children under the age of four who ride for free, as the increase would hurt low-income residents.
But Niesh, a former Prince Rupert BC Transit driver, said most using transit regularly are pass holders. Thorkelson questioned why the city should bother increasing cash fares for the sake of more revenue if this is indeed the case.
Before council started to discuss the subject, Charles Justice had spoken on behalf of the Prince Rupert Environmental Society stating the city should be promoting transit use.
“The more people that use transit, the more people that will be walking and the less they’ll be using cars,” said Justice.
This is something Mayor Lee Brain agreed with, worrying increases could cause a decline in ridership.
Brain agreed with rising the adult cash fare, but moved that student/senior fares remain at $1.50. He also moved prices for a book of tickets for students/seniors stay at $13.50 instead of the suggested $15.
The final amendment was made by Niesh, moving student/senior day passes go down one cent to even out to $3.75.
All council members voted in favour of the amended transit prices, aside from Thorkelson who was opposed based on the adult cash fare.
New transit fees will take effect on May 1.
