Catherine McKenney promises fare freeze, more rides, free transit for kids

Ottawa mayoral candidate Catherine McKenney's proposals to improve the city's transit network and attract riders includea fare freeze, free rides for children, expanded service, and investment in electrification and Para Transpo.

"If people can't get to where they need to be on time, if they can't afford to ride transit every day, then their city is failing them. For far too many people, ourcity is failing them," they said in a news conference outside Blair station Tuesday.

Their planto fix this includes increasing the number of routes and buses running by 20 per cent during their first four years, with a focus on buses within communities and not just to commute to and from the core.

Everyone under age 18 could ride for free, expanding the current approach that lets children under eightride for free andage-based discountsfor youth up to age 19. Their argument is it would save families money and lead kids to using transit more as adults.

They would lower the$58.25 monthlyEquipassto match the Community Pass rate currently $43.25 and they'd spend more on Para Transpoand accessible taxi services by raising the surcharge on ride-hailingto 20 cents per ride from 10.

They'd electrify the city's bus fleet more quicklyand, if RTG is found in default of its light rail maintenance contract, bring that workundercity control.

It would cost $35 million in their first budget for some of the major planks, McKenney said: $18 million for more trips, $14 million to make transit free for children, $2 million for freezing fares and $1 million on the Equipass.

McKenney committed to funding the changes without cutting services or increasing property taxes more than the three-per-cent cap set by current Mayor Jim Watson, who is not running again.

Other platforms

McKenney's transit policies came under attack from fellow mayoral candidate Mark Sutcliffe last week, specifically whether their support for the idea of fare-free transit would mean they would raise taxes to make it happen.

• Mayoral contenders spar over fare-free transit

McKenney said it can't be done immediately or on property taxes alone.

Sutcliffesaid he wants more buses and trains in Ottawa's suburbs while making rides more affordable.

Bob Chiarelli's mayoral campaign said in a statement he's prepared to adjust existing fare discounts and that a broader review of OC Transpo is needed.

Fourteen people are running for mayor. Ottawa's election day is Oct. 24, with early in-person voting starting Sept. 24.