- 注册
- 2002-10-07
- 消息
- 402,187
- 荣誉分数
- 76
- 声望点数
- 0
The transit commission on Monday approved OC Transpo’s 2017 budget and an LRT-era fare table, but some customers still want a better discount for people with low incomes.
Transpo is proposing to launch a low-income pass in April after thousands of customers demanded a cheaper option for people who can’t afford a full pass. The monthly pass, called the EquiPass, would cost $57. The price is about half of what the full adult pass would cost.
Advocates want Transpo to reduce the EquiPass price to bring it closer in line with the seniors pass ($43.25 in 2017) and community pass ($42.25). They specifically want the EquiPass to cost $41.75.
The city, which is paying $2.7 million for the EquiPass out of the community and social services budget, wants the provincial government to provide funds to bring the price down further.
“Rise up to your MPPs,” Coun. Keith Egli told people in the gallery calling for a cheaper pass.
Advocates also want Transpo to have a single-fare option for low-income riders.
Geoff Stiles of the Healthy Transportation Coalition said a special fare for low-income riders would attract more people who use transit minimally. A monthly pass still might not be affordable for those customers, Stiles said.
The transit commission also endorsed a restructured fare table starting in 2017.
An adult monthly pass would cost $113.75. An adult cash fare would be $3.40 per ride, or $3.35 paid with Presto.
The new fare table might put school boards in a bind.
Vicky Kyriaco of the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority said the proposed fare table, scheduled to begin Jan. 1, would result in a $198,000 pressure for the organization, which uses Transpo for some student travel. It might be cheaper to add 100 or more yellow school buses instead of putting those students on Transpo, Kyriaco said.
That was news to John Manconi, the city’s general manager of transportation, especially since Transpo has been talking with the student transportation authority for months.
“None of this was every raised with me,” Manconi said.
Staff shortage slows Para Transpo phone booking
Some public delegates at the transit commission complained about the long wait times on the Para Transpo phone booking system.
Mary Gregoire-Lyons, speaking for residents at a seniors co-op, challenged Transpo to hire more staff until Transpo can improve the phone system.
Manconi acknowledged the wait times “have been worse lately.” He said there has been a staff turnover and Transpo is trying to fill the call-taking vacancies. There were four vacancies and Transpo has filled one position so far.
Transpo continues to develop an online booking system for Para Transpo that’s expected to take pressure off the phone system. Management, however, won’t commit to a timeline for the online tool.
Commission approves 10-year Presto deal
The transit commission approved a new 10-year deal with a provincial agency to use Presto on OC Transpo, but there’s still no indication when riders could use their smartphones to pay rather than a card.
Manconi acknowledged pay cards will become obsolete over the next 10 years but emphasized Presto has “the most advanced card in the industry.”
The Presto equipment, including new fare gates to be installed at rail stations, can adapt to new technology. Manconi said it’s a matter of making sure the entire system is “robust” before allowing additional pay methods.
The new Presto deal, which also needs council’s endorsement, would last until the end of 2027.
Metrolinx, the agency that runs Presto, takes a two-per-cent cut per transaction today, but that rate would slowly increase each year until it reaches six per cent in 2021. The rate would stay at six per cent through 2027.
Manconi said the city’s two-per-cent deal with Metrolinx was so good, senior staff at the city felt “awkward” about it.
jwilling@postmedia.com
twitter.com/JonathanWilling
查看原文...
Transpo is proposing to launch a low-income pass in April after thousands of customers demanded a cheaper option for people who can’t afford a full pass. The monthly pass, called the EquiPass, would cost $57. The price is about half of what the full adult pass would cost.
Advocates want Transpo to reduce the EquiPass price to bring it closer in line with the seniors pass ($43.25 in 2017) and community pass ($42.25). They specifically want the EquiPass to cost $41.75.
The city, which is paying $2.7 million for the EquiPass out of the community and social services budget, wants the provincial government to provide funds to bring the price down further.
“Rise up to your MPPs,” Coun. Keith Egli told people in the gallery calling for a cheaper pass.
Advocates also want Transpo to have a single-fare option for low-income riders.
Geoff Stiles of the Healthy Transportation Coalition said a special fare for low-income riders would attract more people who use transit minimally. A monthly pass still might not be affordable for those customers, Stiles said.
The transit commission also endorsed a restructured fare table starting in 2017.
An adult monthly pass would cost $113.75. An adult cash fare would be $3.40 per ride, or $3.35 paid with Presto.
The new fare table might put school boards in a bind.
Vicky Kyriaco of the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority said the proposed fare table, scheduled to begin Jan. 1, would result in a $198,000 pressure for the organization, which uses Transpo for some student travel. It might be cheaper to add 100 or more yellow school buses instead of putting those students on Transpo, Kyriaco said.
That was news to John Manconi, the city’s general manager of transportation, especially since Transpo has been talking with the student transportation authority for months.
“None of this was every raised with me,” Manconi said.
Staff shortage slows Para Transpo phone booking
Some public delegates at the transit commission complained about the long wait times on the Para Transpo phone booking system.
Mary Gregoire-Lyons, speaking for residents at a seniors co-op, challenged Transpo to hire more staff until Transpo can improve the phone system.
Manconi acknowledged the wait times “have been worse lately.” He said there has been a staff turnover and Transpo is trying to fill the call-taking vacancies. There were four vacancies and Transpo has filled one position so far.
Transpo continues to develop an online booking system for Para Transpo that’s expected to take pressure off the phone system. Management, however, won’t commit to a timeline for the online tool.
Commission approves 10-year Presto deal
The transit commission approved a new 10-year deal with a provincial agency to use Presto on OC Transpo, but there’s still no indication when riders could use their smartphones to pay rather than a card.
Manconi acknowledged pay cards will become obsolete over the next 10 years but emphasized Presto has “the most advanced card in the industry.”
The Presto equipment, including new fare gates to be installed at rail stations, can adapt to new technology. Manconi said it’s a matter of making sure the entire system is “robust” before allowing additional pay methods.
The new Presto deal, which also needs council’s endorsement, would last until the end of 2027.
Metrolinx, the agency that runs Presto, takes a two-per-cent cut per transaction today, but that rate would slowly increase each year until it reaches six per cent in 2021. The rate would stay at six per cent through 2027.
Manconi said the city’s two-per-cent deal with Metrolinx was so good, senior staff at the city felt “awkward” about it.
jwilling@postmedia.com
twitter.com/JonathanWilling
查看原文...
