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Free bus rides until 3 a.m. January 1, 2016

Revellers can ride Barrie Transit home for free until 3 a.m. on New Year's Day 2016. The free service was brought back this year, after not being available for the past two New Year's Eve celebrations.
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A Barrie Transit bus is pictured in this file photo.

Have a great time New Year's Eve and ride Barrie Transit home for free until 3 a.m. on New Year's Day 2016.

The free service was brought back this year, after not being available for the past two New Year's Eve celebrations.

"I'm very pleased to see this," said Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman. "I know it was taken away because there were some safety issues in the past."

Security will be provided "to ensure that anyone who has had a few too many doesn't take it out on our buses," the mayor continued.

"I think the value in terms of giving people a safe ride home is very important."

Historically, Barrie Transit has run for free into the morning hours of New Year's Day, however, in recent years the free service was cut back to 9 p.m. because of "various issues including drinking and partying on the bus."

City council approved phase 1 of the Transit Business Plan - Fare Strategy last night - including increases effective March 1, 2016.

Single ride fares for seniors and children are on the way up and monthly pass prices are going up across the board.

For adults, the new price is $86, up from $82.40. Students will pay $66 and children and seniors can purchase monthly passes for $56, up $2.

Semester (4-month) passes for Georgian College students will now cost $255 - up from $247.

Council rejected a recommendation to move to a 28-day pass structure that would have increased costs because 13 passes would have been needed each year.

"We would be hitting our loyal commuters with an 8 per cent increase," said Mayor Lehman, rejecting the 28-day pass. "At this point, keeping it simple and consistent is more important."

Other changes include:

  • replace family ride program with family day pass
  • Individual Day Pass - pilot program
  • Eliminate high school power pass and elementary school children pass
  • Simplify ride cards
  • Investigate GO Transit fare integration 

 

 

 


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Robin MacLennan

About the Author: Robin MacLennan

Robin MacLennan has been a reporter, photographer and editor for the daily media in Barrie, across Simcoe County and Toronto for many years. She is a proud member of the Barrie community.
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