Advocates worry about the future of Calgary’s low-income transit pass program, with city council preparing to debate the funding due to the estimated raise in funding the program. With over 130,000 Calgarians using the program officials expect it to cost the city $52 million to fund the program this year which is an increase of $19 million. “The funding is not sustainable or recurring, and reliance on one time funding is not a long-term solution,” read the city’s preliminary budget documents.
Arguments arise during the debate over stopping the funding for the program, the main point made from Hilary Chapple an advocate who helped the creation of the pass is how will vulnerable Calgarians get jobs and have social connections to the city. With views torn between lack of funds and overspending from the government and unfair ruling towards low income Calgarians. With budget talks coming in November, only time will tell with the future of the transit program.
Written by: Elliot Zan
McKight C-Train heading downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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