THUNDER BAY – The price on a single fare for Thunder Bay Transit will jump 25 cents next month.
City officials confirmed Friday that fares for both Transit and LIFT+ Transit will increase an average of 6.5 per cent as per discussions during the 2024 budget.
Cash fare for all riders will be $3.25, up from $3.00, but also slightly lower than a photo shared with Dougall Media that said the price would be $3.75.
The incorrect signage was on display in the city clerk's office until today when city officials realized it had an error.
Paul Berger with Poverty Free Thunder Bay said the organization asked council in 2020 to phase out fares over three years -- to become fare free.
“Instead, the city ended up freezing the cash fare at $3, and from what I recall, it was to be frozen until 2026 so that it wouldn't be used at tax time as a cash cow to try to make up for deficits,” Berger said.
“A fare jump makes the difference for some people visiting family, coming home from the grocery store with five bags in your hands or getting to their medical appointments on time.”
As part of the 2022 budget process, council elected to freeze the cost of public transit fares and passes, with the exception of the adult monthly pass.
Monthly pass prices for adults will be $87 and $72 for a Discounted Monthly Pass. The price will be $60 for a Seniors and Youth Monthly Pass. Concessionary single ride tickets, which come in a set of 10, will be $28. Children 12 years of age and under will continue to ride for free.
In a statement to Dougall Media Friday, manager Brad Loroff added that “more transit fare related information will be available on Thunder Bay Transit’s web and social media platform pages and at locations where transit passes and tickets are sold starting next week.”
Loroff also said the incorrect signage in the city clerk's office would be removed.
Berger discussed next steps to push back against the hikes.
“We will advocate for a better city, which means getting more people out of cars and onto buses. We're going to need a radically better bus system to do that.
“A better transit system fits the transportation master plan, age friendly cities, the net zero strategies and all of those kinds of policies.”
