Some regional councillors object proposed transit fare hike in preliminary regional budget

Several Waterloo regional councillors spoke out on Wednesday against a proposed transit fare hike during a meeting for the 2023 preliminary budget, citing concerns about affordability and inequity.

Regional staff are suggesting a fare increase of 2.5 per cent by the summer, which they say would cause a drop in ridership of 106 thousand people. 

"I'm really concerned about the proposed transit fare increase of 2.5 per cent, obviously because I was actually proposing an over five year significant reduction of transit fares," said City of Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe, who believes the current fare is too expensive. 

"Unless there's some additional arguments to be made, I can pretty much tell you right now I'm not going to be supporting that." 

Other councillors objected to the hike including Rob Deutschmann and Colleen James.   

Coun. Deutschmann brought up the 106 thousand people who would stop using the service if the fare increase came into effect. 

"If there's some more information you can tell me about who these people are that are going to be dropping off," said Coun. Deutschmann. "I have a real concern about that."  

Deutschmann said that he suspects "they're people that can't afford it." 

"I can't support a fare increase," he added. "Especially the importance that transit has in our community."  

Coun. James had some of the same questions.

"Because 106 thousand does seem a lot, and from an equity perspective, what demographic is going to be impacted by that?" Coun. James asked on Wednesday. 

Council has the final say in establishing the regional budget, but decides on what it might look like with the advice of regional staff. They also consider input from the public.

Discussions around the budget continue next month.