Cheaper transit for hybrid workers would be feasible, OC Transpo says

Areducedfare designedfor hybrid workersno longer commuting to the office every day would be feasible, according to a new report from OC Transpo.

The city has been considering a hybrid fare model because of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people who usually travelled downtown daily began working from home.

According to the report going before next week's transit commission, the model would let ridersload prepaid discounted fares,valid for a certain number of trips over a certain number of days,onto a card. It leaves it up to city council to decide on specific numbers.

The card would expire once the trips have been used or the selected time period runs out, whichever happens first.

It would not be compatible with the STO bus system in Gatineau, Que.,so riders would still need to use a Presto card to transfer between transitnetworks.

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Staff were asked to outline the feasibility of a discounted fare model in April when Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill, a member of the transit commission, put forward a motion.

While many workers have returned to the office part time, they no longermake the 34 transit tripsa month needed tojustify buying a monthly pass,Hill said.

"For them, that decision metric to go to a monthly pass doesn't exist, and as a result they are going to take the choice to take a car," Hill said back in February.

Not a 'magic pill'

The hybridfare model is also being considered to boost ridership and revenue.OC Transpo is forecast to end 2023 with $51.3 million less in revenuethan was budgeted, mostly because of lost fares from lower ridership.

It's unlikely it would be enough to convince drivers to return to public transit, said Sally Thomas, a board member withOttawa Transit Riders.

"It doesn't address the inconsistencies and ineptitudeof OC Transpo," said Thomas, whose groupadvocates for accessible and affordable public transit in the city.

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"It might bring [ridership]up marginally, but Idon't think it will make a significant difference because it doesn't change the fact that the buses are still unreliable."

Thomas is alsoconcerned the new pass optionwill not be inclusive of Para Transpo riders and transit users who only work part-time.

"People who work part-time are generally marginalized individuals," she said. "And they need a break too."

Hill said there would be no restrictions on who is eligible for this pass, assuring it would be open to anybody who feels they do not need a full monthly pass.

"Safety and reliability are importantand still top priorities," he said afterOC Transpo's report published this week.

"This is not a magic pill to solve all of the issues, but one more tool to complement the goal ofincreasing transit ridership."

The details of the new fare options will be presented to transit commission next week.If approved by council, they couldbe available by mid-2024, according to OC Transpo.

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