Date: November 18, 2020
Report / Agenda: Transit Commission
Item / Article: Motion
Re: Fare Freeze
Moved by / Motion de: Councillor C. McKenney
WHEREAS Ottawa has one of the most expensive transit passes in Canada; and
WHEREAS Ottawa has one of the most expensive single-ride fares in Canada; and
WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented financial hardship to many Ottawa residents, particularly those who are unemployed or working in low wage jobs,; and
WHEREAS retail and other front line workers, and other minimum wage workers are mostly reliant on public transit to get to work;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that transit fares be frozen until the pandemic is declared over and the state of emergency is lifted; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Tranist Commission recommend Council direct the Mayor write to the Government of Ontario to request financial assistance to make up the shortfall that a transit freeze would create.