This Canadian city is giving out free bus passes to help those with low income
Breaking the poverty trap
Lower-income residents reported to the city that they perceived access to transportation as a “poverty trap” because not being able to afford transit meant they were unable to access job interviews, education, or services that would help them to move out of poverty.
“During our engagement sessions for the City’s poverty reduction plan, a lack of access to affordable transportation emerged as a major barrier that kept people in cycles of poverty, said Sandra Singh, General Manager of Arts, Culture, and Community Service at the City of Vancouver. “We believe that this transit pilot will act as a catalyst to help improve the quality of life for low-income residents.”
Research from the University of Torontofindsthat one million urban Canadians suffer from ‘transport poverty,’ where limited transit options are compounded by socioeconomic disadvantage. Access to affordable transportation is associated with better health outcomes and social well-being through access to work, health, medical services, education, healthy food, recreation and childcare.
The pilot will run as a partnership between the City of Vancouver, the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Committee, Simon Fraser University and transport operator TransLink. Transit passes will be distributed from early 2021 with analysis taking place over the spring and a final report to be submitted to UBCM in late summer next year.
Freewheeling
The pilot will build on previous trials, including theMOBI bikeshare access programme, theCity of Victoria transit programmeand a Simon Fraser University pilot relating to affordable transport for employees at a hotel. The Provincial Government also already operates alimited bus programme for low-income seniors.
Several cities–most recently Los Angeles– are considering or trialling making public transport free to encourage residents to choose mass transit over private cars; to support those on lower incomes; and to create economic benefits from more mobile residents and visitors.Results so farhave been mixed.
Cities now alsoface wider questionsabout their future transport funding and operations, following massive disruption from COVID-19.
SHIFT is brought to you by Polestar. It’s time to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility. That is why Polestar combines electric driving with cutting-edge design and thrilling performance.Find out how.
Story byCities Today
Cities Today is the leading news platform on urban mobility and innovation, reaching an international audience of city leaders.Cities Today is the leading news platform on urban mobility and innovation, reaching an international audience of city leaders.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.
