North Bay transit fares on the rise

[Rick (Admin)]

Transit fares on the rise


NORTH BAY - It will cost $3 to ride the bus in North Bay by 2014 if a proposal to hike fares is approved.

The proposal, which would see transit fares increase to $2.75 from $2.50 in 2013 and then to $3 in 2014, has been factored into this year's budget. But the increases will be subject to a separate vote from the budget at the request of Coun. Tanya Vrebosch, who wants to ensure the public is well aware of the potential changes.

The matter was referred to committee Tuesday and will be up for discussion March 11, with a vote expected on March 18.

Under the proposal, bus pass prices would rise by $2 each year, with the cost of an adult pass jumping to $82 from $80 in 2013 and to $84 in 2014. Similar increases would be introduced for student and reduced rate passes. Multifare passes would jump to $24.75 from $22.50 in 2013 and to $27 in 2014.

The 2013 increases would take effect April 1 if approved.

According to a staff report presented to council Tuesday, the increase to bus fares and passes is expected to bring the city $102,000 in additional revenue in 2013, and approximately $152,000 in 2014.

The report indicates that the transit department's budget is up 6.1% this year due to higher fuel prices and maintenance costs resulting from changes to Ministry of Transportation regulations and legislated emission controls.

In the past, when the city has increased cash fares only, additional revenue has not be realized because riders moved to purchasing monthly pass and 10-trip cards. That's why the latest proposal includes increases to cash fares as well as bus passes and multifares. The price of a monthly bus pass last increased by $5 in 2008.


www.nugget.ca/2013/02/20/transit-fares-on-the-rise

[Rick (Admin)]

Bus fare hike looms


North Bay transit users will likely be paying more to ride the bus beginning next month.

A proposed increase to cash fares of 25 cents annually over the next two years, along with a hike to bus pass prices, appears to be embraced by most city politicians.

Riders will find out for sure next week if they'll be paying more when council votes on the proposed hike. But council members voiced little opposition to the proposal during Monday's committee discussions.

Coun. Sarah Campbell did, however, question the move, raising concerns about the affordability of the service for those who need it the most.

“It's cheaper for them to get a taxi,” said Campbell, suggesting a parent with two children will be paying a one-way fare of $9 if the increase is adopted.

She also questioned the city's ratio of cost-recovery for the transit department, noting North Bay manages to recuperate a higher percentage of its costs than several other communities according to a staff comparison.

According to the comparison, North Bay recovers 56% of its costs related to transit, compared to 31% in Niagara; 44% in Barrie; 42% in Sudbury; 31% in Cornwall; 23% in Milton; 51% in Orillia; 32% in Sault Ste. Marie and 40% in Kingston.

Campbell, however, heard that the cost-recovery ratio is directed by council and that lowering the percentage would mean either cuts to service or passing on the additional costs to the general taxpayer.

Also, Coun. Sean Lawlor suggested the city would likely have a lower cost-recovery ratio if it weren't for a number of efficiencies in recent years that were outlined by transit manager Dorothea Carvell, including significant fuel savings due to route changes, driver training, no idling and electric cooling systems.

If approved, the increase will see cash fare rise to $2.75 from $2.50 as of April 1 and then to $3 in 2014.

Monthly bus pass prices would rise by $2 each year, with the cost of an adult pass jumping to $82 from $80 in 2013 and to $84 in 2014. Multifare 10-trip cards would jump to $24.75 from $22.50 in 2013 and to $27 in 2014.

Likewise, student bus passes for September to December and for January to April would increase to $228 from $220 in the first year and then to 236 in the second year.

Student passes for January to June would rise to $342 from $330 in 2013 and reach $350 in 2014.

Child bus passes would see similar increases, with the price for January to April jumping to $198 from $190 in the first year and to $206 in 2014. The price for January to June would go to $292 from $280 in the first year and to $300 in 2014.

The increases, which are expected to bring the city $102,000 in additional revenue in 2013, and approximately $152,000 in 2014, have been factored into this year's operating budget. The budget, however, won't be brought before council until after the next week's vote on the hike to transit fares.

The fare increases have been broken out from the budget at the request of Coun. Tanya Vrebosch, who wanted to ensure the public is well aware of the potential changes.

Vrebosch was absent from Monday's meeting, although Coun. Judy Koziol asked a number of questions on her behalf.

Coun. Dave Mendicino, chairman of community services, said the new rates, if adopted, will be posted at the transit terminal and on city buses. He said notices will also be posted in the newspaper, on the city's website, as well as its Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Mendicino said the city has so far not received and formal objections to the proposed increases from members of the public.


www.nugget.ca/2013/03/12/bus-fare-hike-looms