Group calls for free transit for seniors

Move adopted in many Canadian cities would help climate, reduce social isolation, advocates say

A local advocacy group wants to see Waterloo Region offer free transit for children under 12 and older adults two days a week.

The region should offer free transit to children and older adults for two main reasons — the environment and social reasons, Rick Chambers of the Waterloo Region Age Friendly Network told councillors at a regional planning committee meeting earlier this week.

More people riding transit will reduce the number of cars on roads, lower air pollution and improve the overall health of the community, Chambers said. It also reduces social isolation and promotes social interaction, he added.

“This is the United Nations’ Decade of Healthy Aging. We are here to present an idea on healthy aging,” he told councillors.

He proposed offering free transit for adults over 65 on Wednesday and Sunday. Nearly 20 per cent of the population in Canada is over 65 and statistics show that during the last seven to 10 years of a senior’s life, he or she will not be driving, Chambers said.

Municipalities across Ontario and Canada offer a range of free transit. Children ride for free on all British Columbia transit systems, and in Halifax. Seniors ride for free on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Halifax.

At least 13 transit systems in Ontario offer free rides for children, including Barrie, Burlington, Guelph, Kingston, London St. Catharines and Toronto.

“Grand River Transit is one of the outliers here in not having free transit for children,” he said. “All these municipalities have found ways to do this, and we are hoping Grand River Transit will be able to do the same thing.”

The move will also increase ridership of parents accompanying their children, Chambers said.

“We are creating lifelong users and helping families save money,” he said.

Chambers said Wednesday and Sunday were chosen as two days for free transit for older adults because of a survey the City of Cambridge did before the pandemic. Those are the same days offered in Ottawa for seniors to attend medical appointments, shopping or gather with others, he said. Free rides for older adults are also offered in cities across the province.

The group would like to see a oneyear pilot project.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said free transit “excites me” and an issue that the City of Kitchener seniors’ advisory group has been keen about.

“One of the apprehensions that we often hear about is that this will have a negative impact on our revenues,” he said.

In Oakville, a study showed that ridership increased among older adults on days that were not free, Chambers said.

“My view of transportation is very much aligned with that you are presenting,” Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe said.

“I see transportation not just about moving people and moving goods. It’s about economic development, health and wellness, climate change, talent attraction, community belonging and equity. It’s all those things,” she said.

Regional staff said they would bring back more information during budget talks next week, including adding free transit.

The Waterloo Region Age Friendly Network is proposing offering free transit for adults over 65 on Wednesday and Sunday