The City of Burlington is looking at expanding its free transit program to everyone.
Right now, residents can participate in a survey on the city’s website, which asks how often you take transit, how much you think transit should cost, and if you’d be more likely to use transit if it were to be made free for everyone.
Currently, the city offers free transit for students and seniors (age 65+), as well subsidies for those in Halton Region’s Subsidized Passes for Low-Income Transit (SPLIT) program.
Approximately 2.3 million riders – nearly 80 per cent – in the city are adults, paying either $2.75 on Presto or $3.50 cash. Quick math suggests free transit just for adults could cost between $6,423,837 and $8,175,793 annually.
In October 2023, the city released a transit ridership data report, which recommended the city consider free transit for all youth every day. A follow up reporter is going to council in Q4 2024, a representative from the city said.
The free transit survey is open until September 15, and can be filled out here.
