Mayor John Tory today was joined by Councillor Anthony Perruzza (Ward 7 Humber River-Black Creek), City Council’s Poverty Reduction Advocate, to launch phase two of the Fair Pass Discount Program, which expands eligibility to low-income residents who are receiving a child care fee subsidy.
Phase two of the Fair Pass Discount Program will provide approximately 23,000 eligible residents, who receive a child care fee subsidy and are living with a household income under the Low-Income Measure (LIM) plus 15 per cent, with a 12-month discount on the regular Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) adult fare or adult monthly pass.
The discount will be programmed onto a PRESTO card, saving cardholders a third of the current fare, $1.05 on the adult fare for a single ride and $31.75 on the adult monthly pass. Cardholders must load funds onto their card to receive the discount.
Eligible residents who are in receipt of child care fee subsidies will be notified directly by Toronto Children’s Services, and will be able to apply through their registered My Child Care Account.
The Fair Pass Discount Program was approved by City Council as part of the Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy to make transit more affordable for low-income residents. Making transit more affordable was one of the suggestions that the City heard in its public consultations for the Poverty Reduction Strategy. The City’s 2018 and 2019 budgets invested $10.4 million to begin implementing the Fair Pass Discount Program. Other initiatives include the Kids Ride Free program for children 12 and under, lower fares for students and seniors, and the implementation of a two-hour transfer to hop on-hop off.
The Fair Pass Discount Program is being rolled out in three phases. Phase one was launched in 2018 and includes Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program clients who do not receive transportation supports equal to or greater than $100 in the current month. Phase two, starting today, includes residents receiving a child care fee subsidy and living with a household income under LIM plus 15 per cent. Subject to City Council approval, phase three will extend eligibility to all Toronto residents living with a household income under LIM plus 15 per cent.
For more information about the Fair Pass Discount Program, including how to apply, visit http://www.toronto.ca/transitdiscount or call 416-338-8888.
Quotes
“Our goal with the Fair Pass Discount Program was to make transit more affordable for low-income residents. With phase one, eligible residents who receive assistance through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program were provided with the discount and now we’ve expanded the program to eligible parents who receive child care fee subsidies. I’m proud to see the City of Toronto providing opportunities for residents in need.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Affordable public transit for parents is important as they rely on transit to get to work, take their children to school or daycare or pick up groceries. They rely on public transit to support their children and families. Without access to affordable transit on a regular basis, families may be forced to make choices and cost-cutting measures throughout the month they should not have to make.”
– Councillor Anthony Perruzza (Ward 7 Humber River-Black Creek), City Council Poverty Reduction Advocate
“Affordable transit supports families in accessing the high-quality early years and child care services they need to grow and thrive in Toronto. Toronto Children’s Services is proud to partner on delivering Phase 2 of this important initiative.”
– Shanley McNamee, General Manager, Toronto Children’s Services
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