(rdnewsNOW)

By rdnewsNOW staff

$34/Month

Transit Fare Assistance Pass pilot program extended

Apr 2, 2024 | 1:44 PM

Officials with the City of Red Deer have announced an extension to their Transit Fare Assistance Pass pilot program.

The Transit Fare Assistance Pass, funded through the Government of Alberta’s Low-Income Transit Pass grant, will be available until March 31, 2025. Officials say the program offers a monthly Transit pass for $34, which is a reduction of up to 55 per cent from the regular fare.

Since its implementation last October, The City has:

• received 999 applications;
• sold 684 Fare Assistance Pass cards; and
• seen a steady increase of monthly Transit Fare Assistance Passes being purchased, with an average of 425 monthly over the five months since becoming available. In March, 541 were purchased.

“One of the interesting occurrences we are seeing through this program is there hasn’t been a decrease in regular monthly passes sold; that means we are reaching new riders using our transit services to move throughout the community,” said Jeremy Bouw, Transit & Fleet Manager.

Final approval in April

Town of Sylvan Lake approves interim operating budget

2h ago

opposed

Blackfalds opposed to proposed provincial electoral boundary changes

6h ago

Sustainability Challenges

Downtown Business Association aiming to wind down operations

Dec 11, 2025

“Being able to extend this program allows us to get a better understanding as to whether or not we should be considering it as a new fare option moving forward.”

The City says riders who have already been approved do not need to re-apply with the time extension; they can continue to purchase their monthly passes at the reduced rate until the end of March 2025.

City officials say Transit’s priorities for public transportation are ensuring affordability, rider safety, reliable movement throughout the community, and being environmentally friendly.

“The Fare Assistance Pass supports all these priorities by providing a reduced rate for eligible riders, and giving those who could not access our services before an opportunity to purchase a monthly pass,” said Bouw. “Extending this program allows even more people to access our service without adding expenses outside of staffing to process applications and maintain the database. The original grant provided by the province covers these costs.”

“Public transit is an important service used by many Albertans. Low income transit options like Red Deer’s Transit Fare Assistance Pass help communities stay connected and ensure vulnerable Albertans are able to get to where they need to go without breaking the bank. I’m pleased the city of Red Deer’s program will continue for another year and that more people in the City will be able to access jobs, education and health care.” Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.

The program was originally set to end on March 31, 2024. For more information about the Transit Fare Assistance Pass, please visit reddeer.ca/Transit.

—

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the rdnewsNOW newsletter by visiting rdnewsNOW.com.