Hamilton will allow people with some disabilities to continue taking bus for free until June

Hamilton will allow bus users who are blind or use a mobility device to continue to ride for free for part of 2024, as the city transitions to a new fare program that will eventually require them to pay. 

The city had initially prepared to end what's known as the "voluntary pay program" on Jan. 1, which applied to Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) cardholders and people who used walkers and wheelchairs.

The voluntary pay program, along with affordable transit passes, will be replaced with a "fare assist" Presto program to provide low-income families with a 30 per cent discount. 

Riders who rely on the voluntary program were going to be given a 90-day grace period, but on Wednesday council extended it to June 2024. 

Coun. Esther Pauls said she'd recently heard from residents who are blind and "really need" the free transit as it's one of the few reliable ways they can get around the city. 

"This issue is not merely financial issue, it's an accessibility issue," Pauls said. 

She was supported by Coun. Mark Tadeson who said he'd heard similar concerns and grew "uncomfortable" about cancelling the voluntary pay program. 

Free fare program 'very helpful,' says user

Siena Trigiani who's experienced sight loss since birth and has a CNIB card, told councillors in late October that she's relied on the voluntary pay program for years.

"Being able to show a card and ride the bus for free has been very helpful because up until very recently I wasn't able to work," Trigiani said. "It's very difficult for people who are financially vulnerable." 

Pauls originally moved a motion to continue the program for another year-and-a-half until staff could come up with a comparable program using Presto cards, but it was defeated. 

Some councillors expressed various concerns about continuing the existing program. Coun. Brad Clark said people may take advantage by pretending to use a walker to ride for free. Coun. Tom Jackson said council was undoing what staff had recommended and was approved just months ago and would cost the city millions of dollars in foregone revenue.

Instead, council voted to extend the grace period to six months, which will cost the city about $450,000. Coun. Nrinder Nann, who put forward the motion, said it would give people more time to sign up for the new fare assist program.

She also requested staff report back on how it might incorporate a further discount for people living with disabilities in the future.