Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger's promise of free transit rides for seniors delayed by council

A campaign promise made by Sudbury's mayor to give seniors free bus rides has been parked for now.

Brian Bigger's election pledge saw city staff table a proposal to extend free transit to those over 65 on Mondays starting this fall.

The pilot program would offer the free bus fare only between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and then after 6:30 in the evening.

But councillors from the outlying areas, like Ward 5's Robert Kirwan, argued the program would only benefit seniors in Sudbury proper.

"I don't believe anyone from the Valley can get on a bus in the Valley at 10:00 a.m. and return by 2:30 p.m. going anywhere," said Kirwan.

That prompted Bigger to move to defer the motion until this fall, asking staff to research more options.

"Being more aware of the differences in levels of service, we need to give staff an opportunity to come back."

While he talked about it a lot on the campaign trial, Bigger didn't champion the idea at Tuesday's council meeting, deferring questions to staff.

Ward 9 city councillor Deb McIntosh argued that any break on bus fare should instead be extended to Sudburians who have trouble affording transit tickets.

"I'm looking to make it fair. Extending subsidies to those who need it most."

The second report on free transit is expected to be back before city council in September, about a year after Bigger the mayoral candidate first promised it.