Seniors could be taking free bus rides in Barrie one more day a week by June.
Sitting in finance and responsible governance committee last night, councillors approved a motion that city staff implement a second day per week of free transit for seniors, in addition to Thursdays.
Staff would also have delegated authority to determine that additional day of the week, following consultation with the seniors and accessibility advisory committee, with the goal to launch by June 1, 2023 in recognition of seniors’ month.
Coun. Gary Harvey says free transit for seniors allows those on fixed incomes to get to their medical appointments, pick up groceries or to complete other errands.
“I was approached by some of the seniors in our community in regards to some additional days,” he said. “They were hoping for another couple of days, but in looking at the cost in relation to it and obviously some potential impacts to monthly passes … one day was more viable.”
A reduction in Barrie Transit revenue of as much as $30,000, for that extra day, would be funded by the Ontario gas tax reserve for 2023. City staff would include an annualized financial impact estimated at $50,000 as part of the 2024 operating budget.
Mayor Alex Nuttall said there are two sides to this issue.
“The costs of transit are the costs of transit,” he said. “The other side of it is our seniors in Barrie, (what) the cost inflation has thrown on them.
“I’d like to see it happen, first of all,” Nuttall said of a second free transit day for seniors. “Second, I’d like to see what the results are. We’re talking about $50,000 in the next budget. I want to make sure that the uptick is there on the (second) day. If it’s not there, I guess it means that we’re not spending the money because they’re taking the bus on other days instead. If it is there, I think it’s just good data for us to have.”
The city does track information on free transit for seniors on Thursdays and in 2022 they took approximately 30,000 free trips. The $50,000 estimate is based on that number.
Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl said it would also make sense to align senior programs in city community and recreation centres with dates when seniors can take advantage of free transit, to participate in these activities.
In the spring of 2019, city council approved a 12-year fare strategy for Barrie Transit, with regular fare increases. The strategy included staff considering either providing free transit to seniors for the month of June, in recognition of seniors’ month, or looking at offering seniors free transit one day per week throughout the year.
A survey and consultation with the seniors advisory committee determined the free day a week to be the preferred option. It has been in place for about three years now and positively received by the seniors’ community.
Based on current ridership trends, it’s estimated that providing transit free to seniors for the month of June would reduce revenue by approximately $40,000. An additional free day per week would reduce revenue by approximately $50,000 for a calendar year.
As part of this year’s operating budget, council also approved a Barrie Transit cash fare increase, to $3.50 from $3.25, as of April 1, 2023 - except for seniors, who will remain at a $3 fare.
Barrie Transit’s $25.3-million operating budget is funded by $6.3 million from fares and passes, $400,000 from advertising revenue and $3.3 million from Ontario gas tax, with the remaining approximately $15.5 million coming from the general tax levy.
