Notice of Motion from May 21, 2024 — Free Transit for Seniors in BC (Councillor Harder) — Background/Supporting Material

Background - Free Transit for Seniors

Across the country, but particularly in our region, our population is aging. Meanwhile, the affordability crisis is impacting everything, and transportation costs continue to increase. The cost of transportation can be a significant barrier to someone’s mobility, especially someone with a low or fixed income. Making transit free for seniors allows seniors to travel in a convenient and affordable fashion. As a result, this policy not only improves quality of life, health, and well-being, but also helps foster a more inclusive and vibrant community.

The Clean BC Roadmap to 2030 has targets to reduce light-duty vehicle-kilometres travelled 25% by 2030, and increase walking, bicycling and public transit mode shares to 30% by 2030, 40% by 2040, and 50% by 2050. These goals are necessary if we are going to achieve our emissions reductions targets. BC currently has a program that provides a bus pass for people ages 60 and older, but this program is aimed specifically at people with low incomes, and only provides people with a pass at a reduced cost. The program has strict eligibility requirements and an application process. Increasing mobility for seniors enhances their ability access essential services, and participate in social, recreational, and cultural activities.

As an example, on July 1, 2023, Montreal launched a program that offered free public transportation fares to people aged 65 and older. In the first six months of the program the City of Montreal reported that “the number of trips taken by those in the target age group surged between 15 and 20 per cent,” and that “forty-seven per cent of eligible Montreal-area residents had signed up for the program by the end of 2023.”

Montreal implemented a universal free transit program, and the universal nature of the program was a contributor to its success. A universal program with broad eligibility criteria is easy to administer and easy for members of the public to access and enjoy. The success of Montreal's program provides a compelling argument for why a similar program should be implemented across BC. The surge in transit use among seniors as a result of the program suggests that cost was a significant factor restricting seniors from travelling, and furthermore that free transit encourages greater mobility and accessibility for this demographic. Overall, the Montreal experience demonstrates that making transit free for seniors can be both financially feasible and socially beneficial. Such programs are also environmentally beneficial.

As seen in the Montreal case, removing barriers to people accessing transit increases their use of transit. As a result, making transit free for senior will encourage transportation mode shift towards increased transit use in BC. It is noteworthy that there are also other models that could be adopted or used as part of a phase in of the program. For example, the City of Barrie, Ontario, has free transit for seniors on Tuesday and Thursdays.

Free transit for seniors has numerous benefits, including:

• Accessibility: Many seniors in BC face financial constraints, and transportation costs can be a significant burden. Free transit enables them to access essential services like healthcare appointments, grocery shopping, and community events without financial strain.
• Social Inclusion: Transportation barriers often contribute to social isolation among seniors, impacting their mental and physical well-being. Free transit encourages seniors to stay active in their communities, attend social gatherings, and maintain connections with friends and family.
• Health Benefits: Accessible transportation promotes active lifestyles among seniors, encouraging them to engage in physical activity and recreation activities, thereby reducing the risk of chronic diseases associated with sedentary behaviour.
• Environmental Impact and Encouraging Mode Shift: Encouraging seniors to use public transit helps reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road, lowering carbon emissions. This aligns with the province’s transportation mode shift goals and GHG reduction targets.
• Driver Safety: Free transit for seniors contributes to driver safety by potentially reducing the number of older adults driving when it may not be safe for them to do so. By offering an accessible and cost-effective alternative, BC can help ensure that seniors who may have diminished abilities can still travel safely and independently without risking accidents on the road.
• Reduced Traffic Congestion: Free transit for seniors can help alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas by encouraging more seniors to use public transportation instead of driving. This can lead to smoother traffic flow, shorter commute times, and improved overall transportation efficiency for everyone, not to mention reduced emissions.
• Active Aging: Access to free transit encourages seniors in British Columbia to remain active and engaged in their communities. By providing a convenient and affordable means of transportation, seniors are more likely to participate in recreational activities, volunteer work, and other opportunities for personal enrichment, promoting active aging and enhancing their quality of life and fostering community.
• Equity and Social Inclusion: Providing free transit for seniors promotes equity by ensuring that all seniors, regardless of socioeconomic status, have equal access to transportation options. It helps create more inclusive communities where everyone can participate fully.

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Previous Relevant UBCM Resolutions

Expanding the Fare-Free Transit Program

• Year: 2022
• Number: NR58
• Sponsor(s): Central Saanich

Whereas the BC Governments fare-free transit program for youth aged 12 and under grade 6 saves families money while offering youth low-carbon transportation that helps the province and municipalities reach carbon neutrality targets;

And whereas expanding eligibility to those aged 13 and under grade 7 would reduce the current disparity between the have fare-free and those who have not within middle schools:

Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM endorse a request that the Province of BC expands the fare-free transit program for youth aged 13 and under grade 7.

Convention Decision: Endorsed

Partnerships for Fare-Free Public Transit

• Year: 2020
• Number: NR26
• Sponsor(s): Victoria

Whereas equitable access to mobility is fundamental to full and meaningful participation in local communities, including access to education, employment, services, recreation, culture and community life, and noting that emissions from transportation generate a majority of community-based emissions in many communities, meaning that changes in transportation options have the potential to have a substantial impact in reducing green-house gas emissions;

And whereas forward-looking jurisdictions around the world from Kingston, Ontario to Kansas City, Missouri, to Luxembourg and Estonia are eliminating user-fee barriers to public transit ridership, with residents paying for transit services through the tax system rather than at the fare box:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to work with local governments to introduce fare-free public transit services where communities support the elimination of user-fee barriers to public transit ridership.

Convention Decision: Not Considered - Automatic Referral to Executive
Executive Decision: Not Endorsed

Identical resolutions:

• NEB2 (2022) – Not endorsed
• NR17 (2021) – Not endorsed

Prioritizing Provincial Funding for Large Transit Expansions

• Year: 2022
• Number: NR57
• Sponsor(s): Nanaimo RD

Whereas transit systems across BC would benefit from expanded service hours to better serve residents and enable them to travel efficiently;

And whereas to remain in line with regional and provincial strategic goals for sustainable transportation, larger expansions of transit systems are necessary as they move regions and municipalities towards common goals and improve transit for a greater portion of the population:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and BC Transit to prioritize large transit expansions when determining allocation of transit funding, in line with regional and provincial strategic goals for sustainable transportation.

Convention Decision: Endorsed as Amended