Plan for free city bus rides for kids 6 to 12 is needed and long overdue, advocates say

For Sophia Lukindo, free transit for kids aged six to 12 isn't just a concept. It means saving nearly$30 a week.

Lukindo lives in Westdale, and often takes her three kids aged 11, eight and two on the bus with her. Sometimes she takes them one stop to school. Other times, they head to Jackson Square orthe bay front. Each time, she pays $2.10 each for two of her three children, plus her own fare. It adds up.

Lukindo says she's eager for a proposed citypilot program that offers free HSR for kids six to 12with a PRESTO card. City council still has to ratify it next week. But on Monday, itspublic works committee unanimously approved a one-year trial starting Nov. 1.

Lukindo saysthat saved money can go togroceries, or the cinema,or other activities.

"That meansjuice boxes and other things that I could do for the kids," she said. "It is a lot of money saved."

There are a few reasons for the program, which will cost around$163,189 using the city's 2019 figures.It helps families struggling during the pandemic, city staff say. But it also attracts riders at a time when the city needs them.

With the pandemic, HSR revenue fell $25.4 million in 2021, a staff report says. Provincial and federal money will cover it this year, but there's no guarantee for next year, when the city projects a shortfall of$9.9 million.

Trying to get people to ride the bus

The city also plans to temporarily change theHSRPRESTO loyalty program toallowfree tripsaftereightrides instead of 11during a week. It will also offer free fare with PRESTO from 5 to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday,on Route 18 Waterdown.

The kids' pilot program"is the Apple model of getting kids on to something and they become a customer for life," said John-Paul Danko, Ward 8 (west Mountain) councillor, referring to loyalty tactics the tech company is known for. "So I think it's a really positive change for HSR."

Judith Bishop thinks so too. Bishop is an education advocate who co-authored "The Cost of a School Day," a 2019 report from the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton.

Kids in thefocus groups said transportation was an issue, she says.

"I don't know if people have grasped how transportation,if you don't have it, can be such a barrier to so many opportunities," Bishopsaid."You can't get to the sports club, the homework program, the library. Or family outings, which when you're middle class, you just take for granted."

Other cities already do this

Cities like Toronto,Burlington, Oakville and London already have free transit for that age group. So this is actually long overdue, Bishop says.

Glenn Harkness,executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Hamilton-Halton, wants the change to be permanent.He'd also like to see free transit for moms taking kids to early learning centres.

"I think the pilot is going to be successful," he said.

Lukindo says she thinks the more easily people can get around the city, the better it is for everyone.

"We will take kids to more places to parks, to watch movies. It will help the city one way or another."