Free bus passes coming to CBRM for people on income, disability support
Province will make free transit passes available to more than 7,000 eligible people starting this fall
Free bus passes are on the way this fall for thousands of people in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Scott Armstrong, minister of opportunities and social development, was in Sydney Mines on Thursday to announce that income assistance recipients, their families, and those on disability support in CBRM will be getting free bus passes.
The program is similar to a 2018 pilot project in Halifax that was made permanent in 2021.
"We've heard about the difference that this can make in everyday people's lives and we know it will make a meaningful difference for all our communities here in the CBRM," Armstrong said.
People in Sydney might not take advantage of the program as much, but those in outlying communities on transit routes likely will, he said.
"If you live on the outskirts or in the rural areas, for the first time you're going to have free access to get on the transit system, and many of them will use it on a regular basis."
Dorothy Halliday, executive director of Community Cares Youth Outreach in Sydney Mines, said free bus passes are not just about transportation, but building healthier communities and reducing poverty.
"If you took the price of a trip to Sydney and you didn't have to pay for that trip ... let's hope you could go to the grocery store and come away with four litres of milk," she said.
Armstrong couldn't say what it would cost the province to supply free passes in CBRM, but the Halifax program cost about $5.5 million to set up and about $4.2 million a year after that to operate.
"It's probably going to be cost neutral," he said. "My department already funds people with disabilities, people on low income, to get to medical appointments and we often have to pay for taxies."
Mayor Cecil Clarke said thanks to provincial funding of about $2.2 million, CBRM council will consider also providing passes to seniors who receive the guaranteed income supplement and with limited incomes.
He said public transit is now easier and better than ever with 100 per cent of buses fully accessible, with charging stations for mobile devices and wireless internet on board.
"It truly is about connectivity, accessibility and getting people moving freely within their community on a modern transportation system," Clarke said.
More than 7,000 people in CBRM are eligible for the passes.
Clarke said further details will come before council this fall.
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